New spike in the number of COVID-19 cases
Mauritius currently has a record of more than one thousand active COVID-19 cases. This week, hundreds of new cases were detected. From Monday to Tuesday alone, 377 new COVID-19 cases were reported at testing centres and during contact tracing. Fortunately, most of these cases come from two dormitories occupied by foreign workers employed by a local factory. These foreign workers were already in isolation after positive cases had been detected among them. It's worth noting that since March 5, 2021, Mauritius has recorded more than 2,000 COVID-19 cases. As of Wednesday, 1,316 people were considered cured and had already returned to their homes. Besides, only Bois Chéri remains in the red zone. Since Monday, Plaine Verte, Riche Terre, Terre Rouge and Cité Martial are no longer on this list.
Risk of food shortage from South Africa
The recent riots in South Africa may have an impact on the consumer market in Mauritius. But the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) is keeping an eye on the situation. Last week, activities of the port of Durban had been disrupted, which is quite likely to lead to a shortage of certain foods such as fruits and vegetables or meats imported from South Africa. However, the MCCI is considering alternative markets to import these products from to meet consumer demand in Mauritius.
A new anticyclone in the region
This is bad news for those who had planned to enjoy a sunbath or go swimming as beaches have reopened. The weather in Mauritius is again influenced by a strong anticyclone evolving in the Mascarene region. According to the Mauritius Meteorological Station in Vacoas, we should be expecting cool temperatures until the end of this week. In some regions, mainly in the high lands, temperatures dropped to 14 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and is around 17 to 18 degrees Celsius on average. You can expect winds of around 70 km / h and 3 meters waves in the coastal areas. The sea will be rough, so you are advised to avoid any sea outings until further notice.
Airport taxi drivers on strike
Taxi drivers operating at the airport and close to hotels are currently on strike despite the reopening of borders. According to them, hotel establishments are offering “all-inclusive” packages, including transport facilities, thus affecting their livelihood. Indeed, tourists are offered the possibility of renting private vehicles during their stay. Therefore, the taxi drivers are appealing to the government to review these measures so that they can resume their activities in accordance with health restrictions.
