Quarantine facility death not COVID-19 related |29 May 2020

Dr Louange and Dr Gedeon during the press conference (Photos: Jude Morel)

By Laura Pillay

The passing of one of the individuals in quarantine, who arrived on Saturday after receiving medical treatment in India, is non-COVID-19 related.

Chief executive of the Health Care Agency Danny Louange confirmed this to the media during a press conference at the Sheik Khalifa diagnostic centre yesterday afternoon.

Dr Louange explained that the patient tested negative for COVID-19 before departure from India and upon arrival in Seychelles, noting the cause of death as relating to the condition for which he had received treatment in India.

Currently, there are 89 persons in quarantine, 80 at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay facility and nine at the Perseverance Family Hospital, a facility which was designated as an isolation centre and which is accommodating the nine patients temporarily, who although are not coronavirus positive would benefit from the facility and after-care as they just returned from medical treatment overseas.

Also speaking at the twice-weekly scheduled COVID-19 updates by the department of health was Public Health Commissioner Jude Gedeon who once again provided information on the measures in place for gradual border re-opening as from June 1, noting that application forms for inbound travellers are available on the department of health’s website as of today, and setting out the various conditions to which visitors will have to abide by while in the country.

As mentioned before by the commissioner, for the current timeframe, only private jets and chartered flights are permitted as well as yachts, on condition that they lodge the application in which flight and vessel details as well as the COVID-19 test results of the passengers (tests taken within 48 hours of departure), to be vetted and approved, prior to entry.

As of today, the list of low-risk countries from which visitors will be accepted is also available online as well as documentation detailing the conditions of entry. A second list of countries “on the radar” whose infections rates have started to lower but who still pose a risk, will also be publicised and restrictions lifted or imposed as per COVID-19 related development in such states.

As for entry conditions, Dr Gedeon explained that visitors will be permitted to stay only in approved tourism establishments that meet the guidelines issued by the department of health. Such establishments will serve as quasi-quarantine facilities for the mandatory 14-day period. The same applies to establishments on Mahé who are granted permission to accommodate visitors, based on whether they can adopt and put in place measures issued by the department, including hygiene, health and safety, security and cleaning directives, to ensure the safety of staff and further reduce the risk of propagation.

“On June 1, we are not anticipating that guest houses and self-caterings will be receiving clients, for the sole reason that containment is difficult but maybe in July, when things get better, it will open up other facilities. As from June 1 there will be lifting of restrictions on some activities as well, cinemas, casinos, bars that are not attached to restaurants, gymnasiums, all these under specific conditions. Discotheques will not be allowed. Open air gathering and mass gatherings is still restricted, this will be addressed later,” Dr Gedeon said.

With regards to Seychellois citizens wishing to return from overseas, Dr Gedeon clarified that only persons in low-risk countries can return for the time being, on condition that they are also tested and go into 14-day quarantine. Gradually, as other countries are added to the list, others can return.

Three categories of persons will not be required to pay the quarantine fee including graduates and students who have completed their studies in countries considered low-risk, diplomats and Seychellois citizens who are stranded overseas as a result of lockdowns and travel restrictions.

Restrictions are still in force on outbound travel unless for medical reasons and approval is sought through the department. Dr Gedeon cautioned that persons who insist on travelling against the advice, will be required to pay for quarantine prior to departure. Furthermore, if they travel to high-risk countries, they will not be permitted to travel back until the country is added to the list of low-risk countries from which travellers are accepted.

“Now that we are preparing to reopen (borders), there is a possibility, even if minimal, that coronavirus will return in Seychelles and we need to be prepared. We are trying to educate people to avoid contracting the virus and to avoid this, you need to change the way you do things, so as not to put yourself at risk,” Dr Louange added, urging all to maintain social distancing and proper hygiene practices.

Once again, he reminded the public to avoid touching eyes, nose and face, to wash hands frequently or sanitise with alcohol-based sanitisers in the absence of water, to practice proper etiquette when sneezing and coughing and most importantly, to maintain social distance.