Debate No 02 of 2020 (UNREVISED)

1 No. 02 of 2020 SEVENTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) (UNREVISED) FIRST SESSION MONDAY 03 FEBRUARY 2020 2 CONTENTS PAPERS LAID QUESTION (Oral) MOTIONS ADJOURNMENT 3 THE CABINET (Formed by Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth) Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister for Rodrigues, Outer Islands and Territorial Integrity Hon. Ivan Leslie Collendavelloo, GCSK, SC Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities Hon. Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Dr. the Hon. Mohammad Anwar Husnoo Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government, Disaster and Risk Management Hon. Alan Ganoo Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail Dr. the Hon. Renganaden Padayachy Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Hon. Nandcoomar Bodha, GCSK Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Hon. Louis Steven Obeegadoo Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning Hon. Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, GCSK Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity Hon. Soomilduth Bholah Minister of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives Hon. Kavydass Ramano Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change Hon. Mahen Kumar Seeruttun Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance Hon. Georges Pierre Lesjongard Minister of Tourism Hon. Maneesh Gobin Attorney General, Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security Hon. Yogida Sawmynaden Minister of Commerce and Consumer 4 Protection Hon. Jean Christophe Stephan Toussaint Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation Hon. Mahendranuth Sharma Hurreeram Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development Hon. Darsanand Balgobin Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation Hon. Soodesh Satkam Callichurn Minister of Labour, Human Resource Development and Training Dr. the Hon. Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal Minister of Health and Wellness Hon. Sudheer Maudhoo Minister of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping Hon. Mrs Kalpana Devi Koonjoo-Shah Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare Hon. Avinash Teeluck Minister of Arts and Cultural Heritage Hon. Teeruthraj Hurdoyal Minister of Public Service, Administrative and Institutional Reforms 5 PRINCIPAL OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS Mr Speaker Hon. Sooroojdev Phokeer, GOSK Deputy Speaker Hon. Mohammud Zahid Nazurally Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hon. Sanjit Kumar Nuckcheddy Clerk of the National Assembly Lotun, Mrs Bibi Safeena Adviser Dowlutta, Mr Ram Ranjit Deputy Clerk Ramchurn, Ms Urmeelah Devi Clerk Assistant Gopall, Mr Navin Clerk Assistant Seetul, Ms Darshinee Hansard Editor Jankee, Mrs Chitra Parliamentary Librarian and Information Jeewoonarain, Ms Prittydevi Officer Serjeant-at-Arms Pannoo, Mr Vinod 6 MAURITIUS Seventh National Assembly --------------- FIRST SESSION ------------ Debate No. 02 of 2020 Sitting of Monday 03 February 2020 The Assembly met in the Assembly House, Port Louis, at 11.30 a.m. The National Anthem was played (Mr Speaker in the Chair) 7 PAPERS LAID The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Papers have been laid on the Table. A. Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology (a) The Annual Report 2017/2018 of the Tertiary Education Commission. (b) The Private Secondary Education (Amendment) Regulations 2020. (Government Notice No. 30 of 2020) B. Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development (a) The Income Tax (Amendment) Regulations 2020. (Government Notice No. 25 of 2020) (b) The Mauritius Revenue Authority (Alternative Tax Dispute Resolution) (Amendment) Regulations 2020. (Government Notice No. 26 of 2020) (c) The Income Tax (Amendment of Schedule) Regulations 2020. (Government Notice No. 27 of 2020) (d) The Economic Development Board (e-Commerce Scheme) Regulations 2020. (Government Notice No. 28 of 2020) C. Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity (a) The Report of the Director of Audit for the Special Fund for the Welfare of the Elderly for the year ended 31 December 2014. (In Original) (b) The Report of the Director of Audit for the Special Fund for the Welfare of the Elderly for the 18-month period ended 2016. (In Original) (c) The Report of the Director of Audit for the Special Fund for the Welfare of the Elderly for the year ended 30 June 2017. (In Original) D. Attorney General, Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security 8 (a) The Revision of Laws (Revised Subsidiary Legislation of Mauritius) (Volume 1 to 6) (Supplement – Issue 4) Regulations 2020. (Government Notice No. 24 of 2020) (b) The National Agricultural Products (Amendment) Regulations 2019. (Government Notice No. 29 of 2020) E. Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation The Annual Report of the National Youth Council for period 01 July 2017 to 30 June 2018. F. Ministry of Health and Wellness The Reports of the Director of Audit for the National Agency for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Substance Abusers for the years ended 31 December 2012 and 31 December 2013. (In Original) 9 ORAL ANSWER TO QUESTION NOVEL CORONAVIRUS – SAFETY & SECURITY MEASURES The Leader of the Opposition (Dr. A. Boolell) (by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Health and Wellness whether in regard to the novel Coronavirus detected in Wuhan City in the People's Republic of China, he will state - (a) the safety and security measures and surveillance system put in place in the Republic of Mauritius as precautionary measures against any risks; (b) the number of times the multi-sectoral team has met and when the Rapid Response team has started implementing its services, and (c) the number of persons suspected of presenting the symptoms thereof who can be accommodated at the New Souillac Hospital. Dr. Jagutpal: Mr Speaker, Sir, at the very outset, I wish to thank the hon. Leader of the Opposition for addressing his first Private Notice Question on such a sensitive issue which has an international dimension and is of great concern of one and all. Mr Speaker, Sir, as the House is aware, over the past few weeks, the world has witnessed an outbreak of the novel Coronavirus and this has quickly escalated into a public health emergency of international concern, with severe repercussions worldwide. Mr Speaker, Sir, this health related threat should cut across party lines. In reply to this PNQ, I seize the opportunity to inform the House and the public at large of the various measures which the Government is taking as a direct response to the global threat. Mr Speaker, Sir, indeed I reiterate that it is our duty and responsibility as a Government to continuously inform one and all of the precautionary safety measures that are being implemented to protect our nationals, in Mauritius and abroad. The objective is to circumvent the backlash of a potential psychosis that people would otherwise succumb to. Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to emphasize that we have been at the forefront and we have acted proactively to ensure public safety and well-being. And I should reaffirm that we are fully satisfied with the emergency response and the degree of preparedness of Mauritius to face the risks of a potential outbreak of the virus. 10 I would wish to reassure the House that our response strategy has been developed in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) following thorough consultations with all the relevant authorities and stakeholders concerned. Mr Speaker, Sir, all throughout, we have operated under the able guidance of the hon. Prime Minister who has chaired two inter-ministerial committee meetings to take stock of the prevailing situation and to take decisions as appropriate. I would also have to place on record the invaluable support provided by my colleagues in our coordinated effort and also the World Health Organisation through its representative in Mauritius as regards the implementation of the recommendations outlined by the International Health Regulations Emergency Health Committee. Mr Speaker, Sir, as part of our overall response plan, we have also put in place a communication strategy to continuously inform the population through the media of the prompt preventative actions taken by my Ministry. The objective is to galvanize all efforts and ensure a concerted, proactive, and coordinated approach to effectively deal with this global health emergency and protect our population. All throughout, we have been guided by the need to be transparent, visible and forward looking in our approach. Mr Speaker, Sir, in regard to part (a) of the question, I wish to reassure the House that all the required safety, security and surveillance measures have been reinforced by my Ministry as soon as the first alert was reported by the Chinese authorities. For the benefit of the House, I am enumerating some of the main measures already in force - Surveillance at SSR International Airport ● All passengers arriving from China are systematically being screened. ● Body temperature of passengers is taken individually in the corridor as they disembark from the plane. ● Body temperature is again taken by the Thermal Detector at the Public Health Desk. ● A dedicated desk has been set up at the Public Health Counter for all passengers arriving from China. 11 ● Public Health Inspectors enquire about the health status of each and every passenger arriving from China. ● Health Declaration Forms are being verified by the Sanitary authorities at the

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