COVID-19: Perspectives, Based on An Ethnographic Study, from Mauritius, a Southern African Country.

Abstract

Background: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Mauritius announced the first three COVID-19 cases in the island on 18 March 2020. Following the outbreak, measures for national lockdown which were implemented as from 20 March 2020 were subsequently upgraded to national curfew as from 23 March. The need thus arose to observe the natural behaviour of Mauritians in the social environment resulting from the COVID-19 confinement measures. Methods: A qualitative study with ethnographic approach was undertaken in Mauritius, during the period 18 March to 1 May 2020, by Mauritian investigators who were immersed in the social context. As ethnographers in the digital era, we travelled through the internet in order to be on the field site. Following participant observation, data analysis and interpretation, we followed the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). We also undertook the ethnography-related reflexivity process for quality assurance of this qualitative study. Findings: This study revealed four main themes with respect to the behaviour of Mauritians in the social context of the COVID-19 outbreak as follows: Adapting to confinement measures, panic buying, sustaining media communication and facing the dangers of COVID-19. Interpretation: The interpretation of our findings led us to draw the lessons learnt during the course of this study which provides insights potentially applicable to middle-income countries for their respective public health response to COVID-19.