INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND What Pandemics Mean for Robots and Inequality ÉDITION 339 151 –– VENDREDIVENDREDI 23 23 AVRIL JUIN 20172021 L’HEBDOMADAIREL’HEBDOMADAIRE É LDIGITALECTRONIQU GRATUITE GRATUIT ‘REPORT OF THE GLOBAL TRAVEL TASKFORCE: THE SAFE RETURN OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL’ How the British Government plans to make travel safe myt.mu | 8908 Res lakaz Pey avek my.t money Recharge Activ ou CASH unlimited April. Conditions apply. April. Conditions th BACK mobile data Offer valid until 30 valid Offer Pey ou bann bil CEB CWA MT VENDREDI 23 AVRIL 2021 | BIZWEEK | ÉDITION 339 3 BIZ ALERT HUAWEI ICT has the potential to reduce carbon emissions and leap-frog Africa into a green economy Global tech company, Huawei believes that information and communication technologies or ICTs, has the potential to reduce global carbon emis- sions by 20% over the next decade illiam Xu, Director of the Board to create zero-carbon communities, campuses, and and President of Huawei’s In- cities,” said Xu. Wstitute of Strategic Research, Huawei recently announced that it will recently said energy sustainability was a focus on innovating new technologies to daunting challenge that faced all countries help industries reduce their energy con- over the next decade. sumption for a low-carbon world. “Global energy consumption is growing at an annual rate of 1.7%. Currently 85% of energy comes from fossil fuels. Energy sustainability is a Strong and urgent daunting challenge that faces all of us. By empow- ering a wide range of industries, ICT technology need has the potential to reduce global carbon emissions by 20% over the next decade,” said Xu. In Africa too, many countries are in- In solar power alone, Africa has made solar power He added that as many countries com- creasingly embracing renewable energy to great progress over the recent years, with Huang Su, Director of Huawei South- mit to carbon neutrality and lower emis- leapfrog to a sustainable energy future. more than 6,200 largescale, commercial ern Africa Digital Power Business pointed sions, the push for renewable energy has With its grid connectivity algorithm pow- and industrial (C&I) and mini-grid pro- out that nearly half the world’s population increased, and this is where ICT adds new ered by AI, Huawei has provided over 200 jects identified across the continent. In without access to electricity live in sub-Sa- opportunities in electricity generation, stor- power grid models for more than 30 coun- addition, nine more African nations, apart haran Africa. “So, there is a strong and urgent age, and consumption. tries and regions. This has helped power from South Africa and Egypt, are on their need to accelerate the growth of renewable energy “For energy consumption, we must promote in- plants stably connect to grids in all scenari- way to joining the ‘Gigawatt Club’, an unof- across the region to ensure sufficient, affordable, tegrated smart energy to build energy management os and has gradually made PV a high-quali- ficial tag for the group of countries with reliable energy for all Africans and for countries systems for households, buildings, and factories, and ty, mainstream energy source. installed capacity to produce one GW of to reap the benefits of a green economy,” he says. makes searching simple Ocial online directory of Mauritius Telecom Business People VENDREDI 23 AVRIL 2021 | BIZWEEK | ÉDITION 339 4 LA TOUR ‘REPORT OF THE GLOBAL TRAVEL TASKFORCE: THE SAFE RETURN OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL’ How the British Government plans to make travel safe In February, the British Prime Minister asked Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Transport, to develop the framework for a safe and sustaina- ble return to non-essential international travel when the time is right. This report, produced by the Global Travel Taskforce, which brings together the UK government and industry, sets out how that goal can be achieved. According to him, the resumption of international travel is vital for the economy and the general public, and for allowing families and friends to reconnect and reunite. Many businesses hit hardest by the pandemic di- rectly relate to international travel, such as hospitality, culture, tourism and international carriers. But he does not promise international travel will resume by 17 May CONT’D ON PAGE 5 VENDREDI 23 AVRIL 2021 | BIZWEEK | ÉDITION 339 5 LA TOUR e in the UK gov- pandemic, the sector saw 2.2 million cruise ernment under- passengers travel through ports, which was stand the enor- a 63% increase when compared to 2009. Recommendations for safe mous strain travel “The overarching principle is for a clear and international travel restrictions have evidence-based approach to facilitate the safe, sus- “Wplaced upon our aviation and tourism industries. tainable and robust return of international travel 1. Progressing a risk-based reopening of international Hugely successful in the good times, these sectors while managing the risks from imported cases and travel, making use of existing and new measures to have been nursed through the last year with some Variants of Concern. The health risk posed by £7 billion in UK government help. But what they arrivals from different countries varies considera- ensure that this is safe, sustainable and robust. most need is a reliable roadmap for the future – bly and is likely to change over time as infection a regime that categorises destinations by risk and rates fluctuate, Variants of Concern are identi- • Recommendation: Remove measures limiting outbound travel by 17 May at clearly sets out the conditions applying to people fied, and vaccine programmes are rolled out”,says the earliest and implement a “traffic light” country system, to which different travelling to and from them. Travel operators need the report. restrictions are applied depending on risk. some warning if country risk assessments – based • Recommendation: Introduce a “Green Watchlist” to support outbound on the ‘traffic light’ system – are likely to change. A risk-based travellers identify countries most at risk of moving from green to amber. The system being introduced today seeks to provide • Recommendation: Hold three “checkpoints” on 28 June, 31 July and 1 this warning – but it is subject to the strict con- approach October to review measures. dition that if this government needs to act swiftly • Recommendation: Enable residents to prove their COVID-19 status for tests To respond to the new context, the in response to a sudden change in circumstances British Government will launch a new ap- and, if necessary, vaccines for outbound travel to a third country. it will not hesitate to do so”, says Grant Shapps proach for England from 17 May at the • Recommendation: Restart international cruises alongside the wider restart of MP, Secretary of State for Transport, in his Ex- earliest, for all countries, to which differ- international travel, in line with the country “traffic light” system. ecutive Summary in the report entitled ‘Report of ent restrictions are applied depending on the Global Travel Taskforce: The Safe Return of risk. This risk will likely be based on fac- 2. Ensuring readiness for international travel restart, International Travel’. tors such as the level of community trans- In November 2020, the first Glob- building on ongoing work to minimise border pressures as mission of Variants of Concern, levels of al Travel Taskforce (GTT) produced 14 passenger flows rise, whilst keeping staff safe. testing, genomic sequencing and reporting. recommendations to support a return to This will allow the UK government the international travel. Many of the recom- • Recommendation: Improve the Passenger Locator Form, with full e-gates flexibility to adapt to the evolving health mendations, such as the Test to Release integration across all ports of entry by autumn 2021. situation around the world whilst keeping scheme, have been instrumental in sup- • Recommendation: Establish a joint UK government and industry working borders open. porting safe travel and will remain crucial group to ensure border readiness. Importantly, a safe, sustainable and ro- in the months to come. • Recommendation: Ensure comprehensive measures are in place to assess bust reopening from 17 May at the earli- In February 2021, the UK government and assure safety readiness across all modes. est does not mark a “return to normal” for published the roadmap out of lockdown • Recommendation: Use feedback from industry and CAA expertise to make international travel. Monitoring and com- in England. At the time, the UK had de- pliance activity will remain, such as the targeted interventions to ensure operational safety. livered 15 million first vaccination doses, consistent requirement of a Passenger covering the first four priority groups. Locator Form (which will be improved by 3. Building consumer clarity and confidence through Now, less than two months later, the UK 17 May) and proof of pre-departure test. enhanced advice and communications of safety as a whole has surpassed 30 million first NHS tests at no cost for those with doses. Given the successful vaccination measures and consumer protection when booking travel. symptoms will not be permitted for use in programme, the roadmap included a com- international travel. Travellers must source mitment to relaunching the GTT to con- • Recommendation: Improve operator(s) and passenger guidance to provide tests from the approved list of providers sider a safe return of international travel. more clarity on health and passenger requirements including, where and at the appropriate times as outlined The industry and international partners relevant, how this interacts with travel advice. in the table above. Equally, the UK gov- have worked together to develop a risk- • Recommendation: Introduce a passenger COVID-19 charter by 17 May ernment recognises that the cost of these based framework that can facilitate the setting out consumer rights and responsibilities whilst measures remain. tests can be high. The authorities will work return of international travel while manag- Later this year consult on additional, flexible and modern tools to enforce with the travel industry and private testing ing Variants of Concern.