President Danny Faure chaired a meeting this morning with Government officials and private sector representatives to review final preparations prior to the re-opening of Seychelles International Airport to commercial flights on 1 August 2020.  

The focus of the meeting was setting up a designated establishment within the tourism industry to cater for the eventuality that a visitor needs to be isolated during their stay in Seychelles; an option which not only ensures the safety of the general public but allows tourists to continue enjoying their holiday in Seychelles within a secure and pleasant environment. The designated tourism establishment chosen for this purpose will have medical professionals on site as well as other facilities required.

The Department of Tourism will issue an ‘Expression of Interest’ through which interested parties within the tourism industry can make a proposal to undertake the operation of the facility. A special committee has been created comprising of representatives from Health, Tourism, Finance and the Private Sector to fine tune technical aspects of the set-up as well as the necessary criteria required for the Expression of Interest.  

The meeting also discussed risk mitigation strategies to ensure the health and safety of the community as the airport reopens for commercial flights. The need to continue raising public awareness on practising social distancing, good hygiene and wearing face masks in public places was emphasised, as public support for safety measures is key to keeping the country safe.

Present for the meeting this morning at State House was the Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr Didier Dogley, the Minister Finance Trade, Investment and Economic Planning, Mr Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, the Minister of Employment, Immigration and Civil Status, Mrs Myriam Telemaque, the Principal Secretary for the Department of Tourism, Mrs Anne Lafortune, the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Mrs Sherin Francis, the Public Health Commisioner, Dr Jude Gedeon, the CEO of Health Care Agency, Dr Danny Louange, Senior Policy Adviser for the Department of Health, Dr Conrad Shamlaye,  Chairperson of SHTA, Mrs Sybille Cardon, Vice- Chairperson of SHTA, Mr Alan Mason and Economic Advisor to the President, Mr Bertrand Belle.