President Danny Faure chaired a special meeting at State House today with representatives of a number of economic sectors as well as some State Owned Enterprises in light of recent domestic developments relating to COVID-19.

The meeting also follows from the President’s commitment in his last public address on the 12th of March to look at the likely domestic economic impact of the pandemic and to take appropriate action.  Each of the sectors were able to put forward their main concerns, and the likely Government intervention that they feel would be appropriate and possible in the current circumstances.

President Faure assured the Forum and the people of Seychelles that the government is watching closely developments happening in the country and the rest of the World.

There were presentations from the Department of Health, Department of Employment, Department of Immigration, Department of Agriculture, Seychelles Fishing Authority, Seychelles Trading Company (STC), Seychelles Petroleum Company (SEYPEC), Air Seychelles, Seychelles’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the Agricultural Producers’ Association of Seychelles, and the Seychelles Hotel and Tourism Association (SHTA).

Based on the discussions on the situation of the country, the following decisions have been taken:

•             As of Wednesday 18th March 2020 at 8pm, Seychelles will not be accepting any passenger who has been to any country in Europe, including the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and the French Departments of Reunion and Mayotte in the last 14 days (except returning Seychellois citizens).

•             Any returning Seychellois citizens from any country in Europe will be placed under obligatory quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

•             Any applications for GOP in respect of nationals of those countries that will not be allowed to enter Seychelles will not be processed.

•             Previously announced GOP rate increases have been postponed to September 2020.

•             Expiring GOPs will be renewed without the worker having to exit the country.

•             In the case of employees placed in quarantine, the employer would continue to pay the salary of the worker until the employee is released. This amount could be claimed back by the employer from the Agency for Social Protection (ASP) following certification from the Department of Health that the employee was in quarantine.

During the meeting STC confirmed that they have at least three months of stock on virtually all essential commodities in the country.  Some items have already had stocks increased to four months’ supply earlier this year.  Furthermore, STC are in the process of further increasing stock for the country.

SEYPEC informed the meeting that they also have approximately two months’ worth of stock of fuels and are currently in negotiation to further increase the stock of liquid fuels to four months of supply.  The CEO also informed the meeting that that there is an LPG tanker arriving on the 25th March which would replenish levels to six months’ worth of consumption.

Based on the concerns raised, and the consequences of the decisions taken this afternoon, the President will be making a further announcement on the evening 20th of March in relation to Government measures emanating from the economic impacts of the pandemic.

Cabinet Members present at this afternoon’s meeting included the Vice-President Vincent Meriton, Designated Minister, Mrs Macsuzy Mondon, Minister for Fisheries and Agriculture, Mr Charles Bastienne, Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr Didier Dogley, Minister of Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning, Mr Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, Minister of Employment, Immigration and Civil Status, Mrs Myriam Telemaque, senior officials within their respective Departments, the Governor of the Central Bank, Ms. Caroline Abel, Chairman of Seychelles Fishing Authority, Mr. Cyril Bonnelame, Chairman of the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Oliver Bastienne, Chairman of Air Seychelles, Mr. Jean Weeling, Chairman of the Agricultural Producers’ Association of Seychelles, Mr Barry Nourrice, and Member of the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association, Mr. Alan Mason.