President Danny Faure chaired a special meeting of the Economic Forum at State House this morning. This particular meeting constituted of discussions with various ministries and agencies regarding the current outbreak of COVID-19, a new strain of Coronavirus, first reported in Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019.

The purpose of the meeting was to gather a thorough update as to what is happening locally and internationally in terms of the ongoing threats of COVID-19, particularly its impact on the local economy and the way forward.

During the meeting, Seychelles' Public Health Commissioner, Dr Jude Gedeon, appraised the President and the Forum on the different measures and resources that the Public Health has put in place locally. The resources include those to detect, control and support at the Seychelles International airport as well as the seaports and to treat suspected COVID-19 patients. He added that Anse Royale Health Centre is being used as a temporary isolation unit for any suspected cases. He noted that Health officers have been trained and briefed to respond appropriately to the situation.

The Governor of the Central Bank, Ms Caroline Abel, also detailed ongoing monitoring mechanisms to consider the impact of the Coronavirus on the economy. A decision in regards to the economic situation of the country will be taken once this exercise is completed, if there is a necessity.

As for the tourism sector, members of the Forum explained that efforts are being made through international partners to reinforce the message that Seychelles remains an ideal and safe destination. 

Members of the Forum will continue monitoring the situation and submit comprehensive reports on the matter to the Cabinet of Ministers by mid-March.

Members of the Forum present at this morning’s meeting included the Vice-President Vincent Meriton, Designated Minister, Mrs Macsuzy Mondon, Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr Didier Dogley, Secretary of State for Health, Mrs Marie-Pierre Lloyd, Special Adviser to the President, Mr Hans Aglae, Governor of the Central Bank of Seychelles, Ms Caroline Abel, Principal Secretary for Finance, Principal Secretary Tourism Department, Mrs Anne Lafortune, Principal Secretary for Finance, Mr Damien Thésée, Principal Secretary for Economic Planning, Mrs Elizabeth Agathine, the Public Health Commissioner, Dr Jude Gedeon, and the CEO for the Seychelles Tourism Board, Mrs Sherin Francis.