COVID TRAVEL ADVICE AS FROM 1ST OCTOBER 2021

– VACCINATION QUESTIONS –

 

Who will be allowed entry to Mauritius and do I need to be fully vaccinated?

Mauritius is open to all countries, subject to our entry requirements.
Passengers must be fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine recognised by the Mauritian authorities to be able to freely explore the island
If you are unvaccinated, you may travel to Mauritius but must book a 14-night in-room quarantine stay.
All passengers will need to fill out health forms before or during your flight to Mauritius. You will need to hand these completed forms to immigration and health officials on arrival at Mauritius airport.

What does fully vaccinated mean?

Travellers must be fully vaccinated to enter the country without quarantine. They must meet one of the following conditions:

  • have an official documentation proving that you have already had COVID-19 and have had a post-infection vaccination 14 days prior to travel (28 days for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine);
  • have received a single dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine at least 28 days before travel;
  • be a minor aged under 18 years old who is currently exempted from vaccination and travels with his/her family.

If I am vaccinated do I need a PCR test to enter Mauritius?

To enter Mauritius, all travellers must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure.

If you are staying at a hotel there will be no PCR testing at the airport. Antigen tests will be carried out at the hotel on arrival (day 0) and on day 5. These will be chargeable, subject to your hotel policy.

If you are staying at any other accommodation such as a villa, guesthouse or AirB&B, or returning home you will need to take a free PCR test at the airport on arrival in Mauritius.

Can I travel to Mauritius unvaccinated?

To enter Mauritius, unvaccinated guests must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure.

You must book a 14-night quarantine stay in an official quarantine hotel, including meals and transfers. You will be required to stay in your hotel room for 14 nights and meals will be delivered to your room. You will have a PCR test on arrival, day 7 and day 14. The cost for all three PCR tests will be Rs12,000.
After a negative PCR test on day 14, you can freely explore the island and move to new accommodation or go home.

What vaccines have been approved?

The National COVID-19 Vaccination Committee in Mauritius has approved the following vaccines for those wanting to enter Mauritius:

AstraZeneca: Covishield
AstraZeneca: Vaxzevria
Covaxin
Johnson & Johnson
Moderna
Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine
Sinopharm
Sputnik
Sinovac- CoronaVac

Will a digital vaccine passport be available?

For the moment, a vaccine card is valid. The Mauritian government is working on a digital version.

If I’ve had COVID-19 and recovered, do I need to be fully vaccinated to travel to Mauritius?

You need to have an official documentation proving that you have already had COVID-19 and have had a post-infection vaccination 14 days prior to travel (28 days for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine).

Will hotel staff be vaccinated?

All hotel staff, as well as their immediate family, have been vaccinated

– COVID-19 TESTING QUESTIONS –

Will I need a PCR test at the airport?

If you are staying at a hotel there will be no PCR testing at the airport. Antigen tests will be carried out at the hotel on arrival (day 0) and on day 5. These will be chargeable, subject to your hotel policy.

If you are staying at other accommodation on the island or returning to your home you will be required to take a PCR test on arrival at the airport (day 0). This will be free of charge for all vaccinated guests.
A self-administered antigen test will also be required on day 5 of your stay.

To enter Mauritius, you must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure.

Will I have to undergo COVID testing during my holiday?

If you are staying at a hotel, antigen tests will be carried out at the hotel on arrival (day 0) and on day 5. These will be chargeable, subject to your hotel policy.

If you are staying at other accommodation on the island, or returning to your home, you will be required to take a PCR test on arrival at the airport (day 0). This will be free of charge for all vaccinated guests. A self-administered antigen test will also be required on day 5 of your stay.

If I need a PCR test, how much will it cost?

Vaccinated travellers staying in accommodation other than a hotel will not have to pay for their PCR test at the airport.

Unvaccinated travellers staying in quarantine hotels will have three tests: on arrival (day 0) , day 7 and day 14 of your quarantine hotel stay.
It will cost Rs 12,000 for all three tests

If you need to depart Mauritius early and require an additional test, this will be at an extra cost between Rs 2500 – 3500.

Guests who must take a PCR test during their stay to be able to travel will have to bear the costs incurred.

– TESTING POSITIVE WHILE STAYING IN A MAURITIUS HOTEL –

What if I test positive for COVID-19 during my hotel stay?

Positive Antigen test

Any guest who has tested positive via an antigen test will be asked to stay in isolation in a designated room until a PCR test is carried out by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the result is obtained. Quarantine-type room service must be provided during the waiting period.

Guests with a negative PCR test result may return to their room and be considered COVID-19 negative.

Positive PCR test

If the PCR test result is positive, the client must be transferred to the area of the hotel used for COVID-19 positive cases. The Ministry of Health and Wellness, under the responsibility of the RPHS, must be notified and will check whether the guest does not face any medical risk. If such is the case, the person in question must stay in isolation for 10 days without their family if he/she is asymptomatic.

If after the initial 3-day period, the person tested positive for COVID-19 is symptomatic, 3 more days must be added to the self-isolation period after the symptoms have disappeared.

If the COVID-19 positive person shows worrying clinical symptoms or has demonstrated a significant risk of developing a severe case on medical examination, he/she must be hospitalised in the public or private healthcare facility of his/her choice.

Relatives accompanying a positive guest will have to self-isolate for 7 days in the separate designated part of the hotel, according to the quarantine protocols. They will have to undergo a PCR test after 7-day period. If the test result is negative, they will be allowed to move freely around the hotel.

What if I test positive and require hospitalisation?

If a person tests positive during his/her stay, the infected person must self-isolate for at least 10 days in a room in the specific, geographically separated part of the hotel designated for this purpose, without leaving for any reason.

However, hospitalisation will be imperative if required, following the assessment of the person’s medical condition by the Ministry of Health personnel for all SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.

Such a person may be admitted to a treatment centre, public hospital or a private clinic depending on his/her medical condition.

Repatriation is possible but will be determined by the guest’s insurance and airline regulations.

What if someone in my group tests positive?

Relatives of the infected person will undergo self-isolation in a separate part of the hotel. They must not leave their room for at least 7 days after their last contact with the COVID-19 positive person, with a systematic PCR test on day 7.

COVID-19 positive cases must self-isolate in a different room from their accompanying persons.

– INSURANCE QUESTIONS –

Do I need insurance to travel to Mauritius?

Travellers must take out a mandatory health insurance covering COVID-19 treatment. Mauritian citizens, resident permit holders and occupational permit holders are exempted.

– CHILDREN AND FAMILIES –

Will children need to do COVID testing?

Regardless of the airline, travellers including children and infants must undergo a PCR test 72 hours prior to their departure for Mauritius. An oropharyngeal swab can be collected for children up to 6 years of age. A negative PCR test result is required to be allowed to travel.

Do children need to be vaccinated?

Children under 18 years old are exempted from vaccination. Children over 5 years old must wear masks in the mandatory areas.

Will kids’ and teens’ clubs and babysitting services be available?

Access will be allowed to the kids/teens’ club in compliance with sanitary protocols, with mandatory closing time during the day for full disinfection and compulsory pre-registration.

The number of children will be limited at all times (with a defined maximum number of children per staff member) with a preference for outdoor activities.

Babysitting service is allowed, provided that the babysitter and his/her immediate family members living in the same household have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days beforehand (28 days if a Johnson & Johnson vaccine).

 – GUEST EXPERIENCE INSIDE THE HOTEL –

How will guests get from the airport to their accommodation?

Passengers will be taken to their hotels by a DMC, a taxi or other means of transportation. Our approved DMCs will run separate transfers for both hotel guests and those staying in a quarantine hotel.

Will guests need to wear a mask?

Yes. Guests will need to wear a mask while moving around the hotel. You won’t have to wear one while relaxing around the pool or on the beach, while seated at the restaurant or bar.

Will dining be affected during my holiday?

Buffets and á la carte meals will be available. Physical distancing measures will be put in place and guests must wear a mask if moving around the restaurant.

Will the spa, golf courses and activities such as watersports be available?

Hotel spas (excluding the hammam and saunas) and in-room treatments are available.
The hotel’s fitness room can be accessed in compliance with sanitary protocols, with disinfection after each guest’s visit.
The majority of activities, including kitesurfing, scuba diving and windsurfing, will be allowed, subject to sanitary protocols.
Golf access will be allowed. The use of golf carts is permitted.
Nightclubs are not allowed to operate.

 –  GROUP ACTIVITIES AND FUNCTIONS –

Can I travel in a group or get married?

Group activities will be limited to 100 people. You can get married on the island.

– GUEST EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE OF THE HOTEL –

Can guests explore the island during their holiday?

From 1 October onwards, vaccinated travellers can freely explore the island throughout their stay. Local sanitary protocols must always be followed.

What happens if I arrive just before 1 October 2021?

If you arrive in September, you must abide by the hotel holiday protocols until midnight on the last day of the month. If you would like to explore the island during September, you must stay for seven nights and undergo a PCR test on day 7 within your hotel. If this test is negative, you can move to new accommodation and freely explore the island.
From 1 October onwards, you can freely explore the island.

– GENERAL PROTOCOLS ON THE ISLAND –

What are the sanitary protocols when exploring the island?

All travellers must adhere to the local sanitary protocols when exploring the island. These include wearing of face masks, hand sanitising and social distancing.

– TESTING FOR COVID-19 IN MAURITIUS WHILE STAYING IN OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS –

What is the definition of ‘other accommodation’

‘Other accommodation’ refers to places to stay other than a hotel. This could be a self-catered villa, AirBnB, B&B, guest house or your home if you are a resident of Mauritius.

How do I get my PCR test results?

All vaccinated travellers staying in other accommodation must have a PCR test on arrival at the airport (day 0). After baggage collection you may go to your accommodation and wait for your results. The Ministry of Health and Wellness will call you with your result within 6-12 hours. After a negative test result, you can freely explore Mauritius.

What is the procedure for antigen testing in other accommodation?
You will need to conduct a self-administered antigen test on day 5 of your stay. You can purchase an antigen test from a local pharmacy in Mauritius or bring one with you from home.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness will conduct random checks on antigen test results.

What if I test positive for COVID-19 during my stay in other accommodation?

If your PCR test is positive and you are asymptomatic, you will have to isolate for 10 days within your accommodation. You will be contacted by the authorities. COVID-19 positive cases must self-isolate in a different room from their accompanying persons.

If your antigen test is positive, you must contact the Ministry of Health and Wellness and isolate for 10 days within your accommodation.

If the COVID-19 positive person shows worrying clinical symptoms or has demonstrated a significant risk of developing a severe case on medical examination, he/she must be hospitalised in the public or private healthcare facility of his/her choice.

Relatives accompanying a positive guest will have to self-isolate for 7 days.

What if I test positive and require hospitalisation?

If a person tests positive during his/her stay, the infected person must self-isolate for at least 10 days.

If the COVID-19 positive person shows worrying clinical symptoms or has demonstrated a significant risk of developing a severe case on medical examination, he/she must be hospitalised in the public or private healthcare facility of his/her choice.

For emergencies you can contact 8924.

What if someone in my group tests positive?

Relatives of the infected person will have to undergo self-isolation for at least 7 days after their last contact with the COVID-19 positive person.

COVID-19 positive cases must self-isolate in a different room from their accompanying persons.

On top of these we invite you to read the latest information from the Airport facilities

Mauritius Experiences Team

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

 

Passengers are kindly requested to check with their airlines for flight information or for the latest travel advisory before their travel. 

 

Visit the website of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority to get the latest updates about travel requirements…

 

Travel restrictions valid up to 31 Dec 2021

 

1. All arriving passengers shall:
 
1.1 take a pre-departure PCR test for Covid-19 within 72 hours before departure and the result of which shall be negative.
1.2 take a health insurance covering Covid-19 except for Mauritian nationals and occupation/resident permit holders.
1.3 complete the passenger locator form (and self-declaration form). You may use the Mauritius All-in-One Travel Form. Read more…
1.4 wear a surgical or N95/FFP2 mask during the flight, at the airport and while commuting to their place of residence.
1.5 make frequent use of hand sanitizer during their transit at the airport.
1.6 be subjected to body temperature check on arrival at SSR Intl Airport by the Health authorities.
1.7 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 accommodations.
 
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 at least 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
  • take a Covid test on day 5 at the hotel 
 
2.2 fully vaccinated passengers not booked at a registered hotel shall:
  • take a Covid test on arrival at the airport. The COVID 19 Lab Request form should be completed for this purpose.
  • take a self-administered test on day 5
 
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.
 
3. Passengers who are not fully vaccinated shall book and pay for a 14 days in-room stay package at a designated hotel including airport-hotel transfers and PCR tests on day 0, day 7 and day 14.
 
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.
 
 

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS FROM RODRIGUES

 

Passengers are kindly requested to check with Air Mauritius for flight information or for the latest travel advisory before their travel. 

 

Travel Restrictions valid up to 31 October 2021

Passengers will be allowed to travel to Mauritius, subject to the following conditions:

  • Passengers have to wear surgical masks at all times, including during the flight.     
  • Body temperature check will be carried out at SSR International Airport and Plaine Corail Airport by the Health Authorities.   
  • Any passenger having temperature above 37.8 degrees Celcius and/or any symptoms of COVID 19, will not be allowed to travel.
  • Physical distancing of at least 1m should be maintained by all staff and passengers within the Terminal and public areas.
  • Only vaccinated passengers will be allowed to travel from Rodrigues to Mauritius. This shall not apply to minors.

 

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