Madagascar trying to reopen its tourism industry hit hard by COVID-19 epidemic

Malagasy President Andry Nirina Rajoelina recently visited the island of Nosy-Be, an island off the northwest coast of the country, trying to offer hope to local residents as the country's economy had been battered by the coronavirus pandemic.

The island was the busiest tourist resort, but now facing a hard time, almost all tourism activities have been suspended.

"Losses for a hotel or a touristic structure, it's relatively simple. It's almost 100 percent since there is tourists anymore. The hospitality sector runs thanks to tourists, so, no tourists, no turnover. Since march, except some people that stayed in some hotels waiting to leave to Europe, the turnover is zero," said a manager of a hotel.

Andry proposed a series of measures to promote the economic recovery at a meeting.

"We are going to consider the possibility to reopen at the beginning of October. We are going to take all the precautions and measures, that is to say that all tourists and passengers coming to Madagascar will obviously take a test before boarding, but there is also the possibility to take test at the arrival.

These are some possibilities that we are going to consider and study. I wish to say that we are willing to go in that direction and take this approach to reopen," he said.

In addition, a social insurance also is expect to provide for employees.

"We have decided to set up an employee loan to the formal sectors which we will finalize in the coming days. There will be a loan allocated by the beneficiaries, that is to say 200,000 ariary (about 50 U.S. dollars), 300,000 ariary (over 75 U.S. dollars), 400,000 ariary (over 100 U.S. dollars), or 500,000 ariary (about 130 U.S. dollars). So it is the equivalent of one month's salary, the period of their reimbursement for employees doesn't exceed 12 months," he said.