With this first overseas trip since the start of the epidemic, Annick Girardin wanted to show the Mahorais that the government is on their side while the Covid-19 epidemic continues to circulate strongly on the island. But what should we remember from this unexpected visit?
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Posted on May 20, 2020 at 6:58 p.m., updated on May 21, 2020 at 6:10 am
It was not announced but its announcements were awaited by the Mahorais and by the elected officials. From the airport, the Minister of Overseas declared immediately the purpose of her visit to Mayotte “The Covid-19 epidemic is still hitting this territory head on, we must not let our guard down”, she said to the journalists present.
It was therefore in this crisis situation that she chose to come. But the minister, accustomed to trips to minefields in Mayotte, did not come empty-handed. In the presidential plane, more than 6.5 tonnes of medical equipment, including 9 respirators, a machine to increase the capacity for carrying out the tests. Also with her, the health reserve made up of 16 people; these professionals come to reinforce the medical teams of the Mayotte Hospital Center.
There are epidemiologists who, according to the minister, go “Help the ARS to better understand what is going on with this epidemic here in Mayotte and to better apply or implement public policies”.
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Invited in the 19 hour of Mayotte the 1st Tuesday evening, Annick Girardin listed the list of all the material already arrived thanks in particular to the airlift between Mayotte and Reunion, and, the material which was going to come in the next few hours thanks this time – to specially chartered planes.
Eleven tonnes of freight are expected to arrive from Réunion this Wednesday and another flight will arrive from Paris with almost a million additional masks on board, and other products for CHM agents such as blouses and other gloves. In short said the minister “All that is expected to work better”. And to insist that “All the territories were treated in the same way, the same for France, with the same protocols”.
The government is with the Mahorais
she hammered again.
Of the 11,500 overseas students identified who wish to return, 1,314 are Mahorais
The issue of overseas students stranded in mainland France was also raised by the Minister. A few days ago, a press release from his ministry explained that tariffs had been negotiated with airlines to allow students who wish to join their families, except for Mahoran students where the device would be applied later. Some have shouted at discrimination against the Mahorais; on social networks the controversy has grown.
Annick Girardin wanted to put the dots on the “i”.
As for this arrangement of negotiated rates for Outremers, Mahoran students can benefit if they go through Reunion. Indeed, in the absence of Paris-Mayotte commercial flights, the system cannot be put into effect. Conversely, if the Mahoran student who wishes to return to the country goes through Reunion, he will benefit from the same negotiated rate as the Reunion student on a Paris-Reunion flight, namely 460 euros. And from Reunion to Mayotte, the trip will cost the Mahoran student nothing thanks to the airlift fully supported by the state to the tune of 500,000 euros per month. Of the 11,500 overseas students identified who wish to return, 1,314 are Mahorais, and they all wish to return. However, only 48 agreed to do a fortnight in Paris before making the trip. But from June 1, Mahoran students can return via Reunion. For the minister, “the two prefects of Reunion and Mayotte work in a coordinated manner to best organize the return of students”.
# COVID19 @AnnickGirardin “Thursday there will be a special flight, a little more than 60 Mahorais will be able to return home, and in the opposite direction to the Reunionese who will go to Reunion. (…) The 8 Mahorais stranded in Dubai will also be able to return via the Comoros. “#GirardinAMayotte pic.twitter.com/tcYsUQR9M1
– Mayotte the 1st (@ mayottela1ere) May 19, 2020
Special flight for Mahorais stranded in Reunion and agreement with Comoros for Mahorais stranded in Dubai
Excluding students, ultramarines are also stranded in other territories, overseas, in mainland France and even abroad. For several weeks, Mahorais have been stranded in Reunion, in Dubai, and they have been asking for state aid to return home; just like the Reunionese stranded in Mayotte. Annick Girardin announced on Tuesday evening that the prefects of Réunion and Mayotte have also made a census to find out the exact number of people concerned. As for the Mahorais stranded in Reunion, they are sixty and they will return this Thursday May 21 by a special flight, the same flight will return to Reunion, the Reunion stranded in Mayotte.
Finally, the minister announced that an agreement would be made to repatriate the eight Mahorais stranded for several weeks in Dubai. These eight people will return in the coming days via Comoros.
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