Official Notice on the Extension of the Government Wage Assistance Scheme (GWAS) and Self-Employed Assistance Scheme (SEAS) for July 2021
The Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) has issued an official notice, dated 30 July 2021, regarding the continuation of financial support measures under the Government Wage Assistance Scheme (GWAS) and the Self-Employed Assistance Scheme (SEAS) for the month of July 2021. This notice aims to inform eligible employers and self-employed individuals about the applicable procedures, sectors covered, and the specific conditions for receiving these subsidies amid ongoing economic challenges linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scope and Sectoral Coverage
The extension of GWAS and SEAS targets specific sectors that faced operational restrictions during July 2021. The measures are designed to provide financial relief to mitigate the impact of restrictions on employment and income. The sectors eligible for continued assistance are categorized as follows:
Tourism Sector
Employers and self-employed persons operating within the tourism industry in Mauritius and Rodrigues continue to benefit from the scheme throughout July 2021. This includes businesses directly involved in tourism activities, which have been significantly affected by travel restrictions and lockdown measures.
Sectors Outside the Tourism Industry
Additional sectors that were prohibited from operating during July 2021 are also eligible for assistance. These include:
- Fitness centres and professional sports organizations
- Horse racing bookmakers, casinos, and gaming houses
- Leisure parks and amusement centres, including aquariums
- Multi-purpose halls, wedding halls, theatres, and cinemas
- Nightclubs licensed by the Tourism Authority and bars
- Religious organizations
- Canteens of private international schools (excluding public and grant-aided secondary schools)
- Training institutions registered under the Mauritius Qualifications Authority Act
- Auctioneers appointed under the Sales by Auction Act
- Food and beverage outlets such as restaurants, cafes, caterers, and businesses with annual turnover not exceeding Rs 50 million
- Registered educational institutions, including fee-charging crèches, pre-primary, primary, secondary schools, and universities
- Self-employed individuals operating as stallholders in markets, haberdashers, hawkers, and artists, who were unable to operate during the period
Additional Provisions for Red Zone Operators
Operators located within designated red zones, which are areas with heightened COVID-19 restrictions, are also eligible for the scheme if they were unable to operate during July 2021. These include:
- Employers based in red zones
- Self-employed individuals residing or conducting business within red zones
It is important to note that certain zones, such as Morcellement Foondun in Terre Rouge or areas of Riche Terre, are classified as red zones, with specific restrictions on business activities.
Application Procedures and Eligibility
Employers seeking to benefit from GWAS must submit a new application through the Mauritius Revenue Authority’s online portal, accessible via the official website. Similarly, self-employed individuals eligible for SEAS, particularly those operating in red zones, are required to submit fresh applications via the MRA website.
It is noteworthy that eligible self-employed persons outside the red zones do not need to reapply if they have previously registered for the scheme. The authority emphasizes the importance of online submissions to streamline processing and ensure timely disbursement of funds.
Further Information and Support
For detailed guidance on the application process, eligibility criteria, and specific sectoral conditions, applicants are encouraged to consult the official MRA website at www.mra.mu. Assistance can also be obtained by contacting the MRA Helpdesk during working hours at +230 207 6000 or via email at headoffice@mra.mu.
This extension underscores the government’s commitment to supporting businesses and self-employed individuals during the ongoing pandemic, aiming to preserve employment and mitigate economic hardship in affected sectors.
