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Mauritius further eases COVID restrictions as tourism demand increases

Mauritius Now – uptodate information

(Port Louis, 29 June 2022) The Republic of Mauritius has announced a further easing of Covid restrictions in response to its successful vaccination campaign and resultant low infection rate. From Friday July 1st, the requirement for facemasks will be relaxed. However, it will be mandatory to wear facemasks in public areas such as hospitals, port, airport and public transport. Moreover, upon arrival tests for fully vaccinated passengers have been waived. For unvaccinated passengers tests upon arrival are maintained.

Mauritius reopened its borders on October 1, 2021, and over 500,000 tourists have subsequently flocked to the paradise island. The nation’s double vaccination rate now stands at over 90 percent, and around two thirds of all over 18 have also received their booster shots.

Mauritius is seeing huge demand from discerning international travellers who are choosing the sun-kissed jewel of the Indian Ocean for its stunning scenery, safety and security.

Responding to the latest easing of Covid measures, Arvind Bundhun, Director of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, said: we are extremely pleased to note that we have reached a milestone of over half a million visitors since October 01. I am confident that our post-pandemic recovery is well underway, and with the easing of sanitary measures bookings for the second half of 2022 will be stimulated.”

Sanitary restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic have eased as from 01 July 2022.

(a) The wearing of face masks will no longer be compulsory in public places other than in hospitals and across all other health services, in public transport and in certain closed spaces. Moreover, there will be no restrictions on the number of people allowed, to public, private and religious gatherings including weddings and funerals and places of worship.

(b) Citizens Advice Bureaus, Village Halls and Community Centres, public beaches, nightclubs, bars, horse racing activities, among others, will be reopened. A copy of the GIS Press Communiqué is attached for information.

(c) As from 01 July 2022, regardless of vaccination status, travellers do not need to present a negative PCR test before flying to Mauritius. Travellers do not need to test on arrival or self-isolate.

(d) It is recommended that all travellers fill out the Mauritius All in One Travel Form which is available on the mauritiusnow.com website (https://safemauritius.govmu.org).

NOTAM A0030/22 issued on 11 March 2022 regarding the COVID-19 pandemic:

Please see below the latest COVID entry requirements for Mauritius.

You may wish to note that the requirement of PCR test 72 hours prior to travel has been lifted.

WHEREAS PURSUANT TO SECTION 4 OF THE QUARANTINE ACT 2020, A QUARANTINE PERIOD IS IN FORCE IN MAURITIUS ON ACCOUNT OF THE

COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND NOW THEREFORE:

1. ALL ARRIVING PASSENGERS SHALL:

1.1 TAKE A HEALTH INSURANCE COVERING COVID-19 EXCEPT FOR MAURITIAN NATIONALS AND OCCUPATION/RESIDENT PERMIT HOLDERS.

1.2 COMPLETE THE MAURITIUS ALL IN ONE TRAVEL FORM AND FILL THE DISEMBARKATION FORM.

1.3 WEAR A SURGICAL OR N95/FFP2 MASK DURING THE FLIGHT, AT THE AIRPORT AND WHILE COMMUTING TO THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE.

1.4 MAKE FREQUENT USE OF HAND SANITIZER DURING THEIR TRANSIT AT THE AIRPORT.

1.5 ABIDE BY ALL SANITARY HEALTH CONDITIONS AS LAID DOWN IN THE PROTOCOL SET OUT BY THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR TRANSFER AND STAY AT THE DESIGNATED HOTELS OR OTHER ACCOMODATIONS.

2. THE FOLLOWING PASSENGERS WILL BE CONSIDERED AS FULLY

VACCINATED:

A) HAVING BEEN ADMINISTERED AT LEAST 14 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE WITH A FULL COURSE OF ANYONE OF THE FOLLOWING VACCINES:

ASTRAZENECA (VAXZEVRIA OR COVISHIELD), COVAXIN, MODERNA, PFIZER BIONTECH, SINOPHARM, SINOVAC, SPUTNIK V, OR

B) HAVING BEEN ADMINISTERED AT LEAST 28 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE WITH A JANSSEN VACCINE, OR

C) HAVING PRODUCED DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE THAT THEY HAVE RECOVERED FROM COVID-19 AND THEREAFTER, HAVE BEEN VACCINATED WITH ONE DOSE OF THE ABOVE-MENTIONED VACCINES ATLEAST 14 DAYS PRIOR TO THEIR

DEPARTURE TO MAURITIUS.

2.1 FULLY VACCINATED PASSENGERS BOOKED AT A REGISTERED HOTEL

SHALL:

-TAKE A COVID TEST ON ARRIVAL AT THE HOTEL

2.2 FULLY VACCINATED PASSENGERS NOT BOOKED AT A REGISTERED HOTEL

SHALL:

-TAKE A COVID TEST ON ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT

2.3 FULLY VACCINATED PASSENGERS WITH NEGATIVE TEST RESULT TAKEN ON ARRIVAL AT THE HOTEL OR THE AIRPORT WILL BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THEIR HOTEL OR THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE.

2.4 FULLY VACCINATED PASSENGERS WITH A POSITIVE TEST RESULT TAKEN ON ARRIVAL AT THE HOTEL OR THE AIRPORT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO A 7 DAY SELF ISOLATION EXCEPT UPON PRODUCTION OF A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE SHOWING RECOVERY FROM COVID.

3. PASSENGERS WHO ARE NOT FULLY VACCINATED SHALL SELF ISOLATE FOR 7 DAYS.

4. PASSENGERS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 WHO ARE:

4.1 ACCOMPANYING A VACCINATED OR UNVACCINATED ADULT WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO THE ADULT.

4.2 TRAVELLING ALONE WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME CONDITIONS AS A VACCINATED ADULT.

6 January 2022 Travel Ban Lifted
As of Friday 7 January 2022, the Covid-19 travel ban imposed by the Republic of Mauritius on the Republic of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia will be lifted and commercial passenger flights from these countries to Mauritius can resume.

NOTAM A0172/21 issued on 01 December 2021, which entered into force on 01 December at 1205 hours and will remain valid until 31 December 2021, 23H59 EST. Kindly note that Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia have been added to the list. Under the NOTAM, no commercial passenger flight will be allowed from South Africa to Mauritius. Any person having been physically present in the Republic of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Lesotho, Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia within the last 14 days preceding the date of arrival in Mauritius will not be allowed entry or transit in Mauritius.

Please take note of the following information:

Repatriation flights will be organized shortly from South Africa for Mauritian citizens and Occupational and Residence Permit holders, and they will be subject to strict sanitary protocols, including quarantine. The following conditions will apply:

all passengers must have a negative PCR test within 72 hours of boarding;
all passengers will be subject to a mandatory PCR test upon arrival at the airport;
they will be taken to a dedicated quarantine hotel by authorized transport operators and will have to follow all travel-related health instructions;
quarantine for fully-vaccinated people will be for 7 days in a dedicated center, followed by 7 days of self-isolation according to the criteria of the existing quarantine protocol. Unvaccinated passengers will be placed in a quarantine center for 14 days;
PCR tests will be done on Day 7 and Day 14;
if all PCR tests are negative, passengers will be able to return home and resume their usual activities;
if a passenger is positive, they will have to stay in their quarantine room for 10 days and allowed to leave only when the PCR test is negative;
if the PCR test is still positive, the passenger will be tested every 3 days; and
contact cases will be quarantined for 7 or 14 days, depending on the vaccination status.

NOTAM A 0170/21, issued on 26 November 2021, which entered into force on Sunday 28 November 2021 at 20:00 and remain valid until 31 December 2021, 23:59 EST. Under the NOTAM A 0170/21, the following conditions will apply:

(i) No commercial passenger flight will be allowed from South Africa to Mauritius; and

(ii) Any person having been physically present in the Republic of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Lesotho within the last 14 days preceding the date of arrival in Mauritius will not be allowed Entry or transit in the Republic of Mauritius.

Also attached is a Press Release, dated 26 November 2021, issued by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, which adopted a series of measures following the identification of a new COVID-19 variant (B.1.1.529) in South Africa and neighbouring countries.

Mauritius eases out travel protocol for Vaccinated Travellers as from 1st October 2021

Full opening of the island!
You must be fully vaccinated to freely explore our island and its attractions throughout your holiday
It is mandatory to arrange COVID-19 insurance health cover (Mauritian citizens, resident permit holders and occupational permit holders are exempted)
To enter Mauritius, you must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure.
COVID-19 testing will be required upon arrival (day 0) and on day 5 of your stay
HOTEL STAY

Plan your holiday, staying in one of our hotels on the island
You can book through your tour operator, travel agent or directly with the hotel reservation
To enter Mauritius, you must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure.
It is mandatory to arrange COVID-19 insurance health cover (Mauritian citizens, resident permit holders and occupational permit holders are exempted)
For hotel stays a mandatory antigen test is required on arrival at your hotel (day 0) and again on day 5 of your stay. These will be chargeable subject to your hotel policy
You can explore the island after you receive a negative result from your antigen test on day 0
All travellers must fill out the mandatory health forms before or during your flight to Mauritius. To save time, you can fill out the ALL IN ONE FORM link below. This will generate a PDF for you to print, sign and take with you. Please hand to immigration and health officials on arrival at Mauritius airport.
https://www.mauritiustravelform.com/?equid=bb5e68e0-a946-4cf7-bda7-ec1eb1f21c7b

Addition info:

https://mauritius-airport.atol.aero/passengers/travel-tips/faq

Mauritius Now

Republic of Mauritius (govmu.org)

Visit the island of Mauritius – official Mauritius tourism website (mymauritius.travel):

Press Release 24 August 2021

With the successful vaccination rollout, travel protocols for vaccinated travelers are being further relaxed. As from 1st September, vaccinated guests would spend only 7 days in a special ´resort bubble´ hotel before going out to discover more of the Indian Ocean paradise.

The approved Covid-19 safe resorts are available at: www.mauritiusnow.com The percentage of vaccinated people are as follows:

First dose/total population: 63%

Fully vaccinated/total population: 56%

Arvind Bundhun, Director of MTPA, said: “This is a major leap towards the full reopening of its borders on 1st October, when vaccinated international travellers will be welcomed in without restrictions. Visitors who present a negative PCR test taken in the 72 hours prior to embarkation will be able to explore the island freely from the moment they arrive”.

The Mauritian government took the decision in January to prioritise tourism workers and hotel staff in the vaccine rollout to ensure visitors will be welcomed into a safe and secure environment in Mauritius.

Airline capacity from Europe and the Middle East is currently provided by Air Mauritius, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Air France, Kenya Airways and British Airways.

International visitors can currently book their ´resort bubble´ holidays either via tour operators or directly with the hotels. Unvaccinated travellers are required to complete a 14-day quarantine period in a designated quarantine hotel.

For full details of entry requirements and safety protocols, visit www.mauritiusnow.com which is currently being updated following this major decision.

AS FROM 1ST OCTOBER ONWARDS
Unvaccinated Travellers

Book a 14-day quarantine including meals and transfers in an officially designated hotel.
You will be required to stay in your hotel room for 14 days and meals will be delivered to your room
You will undergo a PCR test on arrival day and on days 7 and 14
After a negative PCR test on day 14, you can freely explore the island and move to a different accommodation or go home.

We will relay related information from the relevant authorities as the situation evolves, and hope to welcome you to our beautiful Mauritius soon.

FAQs

Where to stay in Mauritius

PLEASE NOTE: NOTAM A0116 / 21, issued on 29 June 2021

Any person having been physically present in the Republic of South Africa, Mayotte Island or Brazil within the last 15 days preceding the date of arrival in Mauritius will not be allowed entry or transit in the Republic of Mauritius, save for exceptional cases as may be approved on a case to case basis. In such case, arriving passengers shall undergo 14 days quarantine in a state designed quarantine facility followed by a 7 days self-isolation and shall comply to any special sanitary conditions imposed by the Ministry of Heath and Wellness.

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Mauritius further eases Covid restrictions as tourism demand increases

Mauritius is seeing huge demand from discerning international travellers who are choosing the sun-kissed jewel of the Indian Ocean for its stunning scenery, safety and security.