Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Port Louis, Mauritius

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April 8, 2020

Location:  Mauritius, Seychelles, and Reunion (France – Overseas Department)

Event:

The Mauritius Ministry of Health has confirmed 268 cases of COVID-19.

The government of Mauritius has implemented measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. Travelers should be prepared for restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. U.S. citizens who are considering returning to the United States are urged to work with their airlines to make travel arrangements while flights are still available.

Effective March 20, 2020, a period of confinement has been announced.  On March 30, the period of confinement was extended to April 15. Only essential services including police, medical, and fire rescue are permitted to operate. Schools and universities are closed until further notice

Effective March 23, 2020, a curfew is in place from 20:00 to 08:00 local time until further notice.  No one is permitted to be in the streets during those hours except for emergency purposes.

Effective March 24, 2020, an increased shutdown is in effect. Supermarkets and grocery stores reopened on April 2 with government-imposed regulations and restricted access based on surnames. Pharmacies and banks are operating with reduced hours and additional regulations. The Ministry of Commerce and the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry have established a website for the distribution of essential goods.

Visit the Mauritius Ministry of Health website for additional information.

If you are planning on departing Mauritius to return to the United States but have been unable to obtain space on a commercial flight, please contact PTLConsular@State.gov with your name, the names of your immediate family members who are also traveling, and all appropriate contact information. The U.S. Embassy is unable to provide travel assistance to countries other than the United States. While no commercial options may currently exist, should one become available U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States are strongly urged to arrange travel immediately. As the Covid-19 situation develops, our ability to provide assistance working with commercial airlines or arrange for evacuation flights may become more limited or even unavailable. There is no guarantee that the Department of State will be able to continue to provide repatriation assistance and transportation options to the United States may be unavailable in the future. If you choose to remain overseas, you should be prepared to remain where you are for the foreseeable future.

The Seychelles Department of Health has confirmed 11 cases of COVID-19.

The government of Seychelles has implemented measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. Travelers should be prepared for restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. U.S. citizens who are considering returning to the United States are urged to work with their airlines to make travel arrangements while flights are still available.

Effective March 25, 2020, any passenger arriving from any country (except returning Seychellois citizens) will not be allowed to enter Seychelles.

Effective March 30, 2020, the government of Seychelles announced the daily closure of all shops at 18:30 and the prohibition of gatherings of more than four people in public places.

Effective April 9, 2020, a three-week period of confinement and shutdown has been announced. Medical service providers (clinics and hospitals) remain operational. Non-essential shops and businesses will remain closed. Grocery stores are permitted to operate from 06:00 to 18:30. Non-essential workers should remain at home. Members of the public will have restricted movement on the roads with access granted for essentials only such as grocery shopping, medical care, and banking. Police may enforce restrictions with checkpoints. Public transportation will be limited to the number of people employed in essential services.

Visit the Seychelles Department of Health website and Facebook for additional information.

If you are planning on departing Seychelles to return to the United States but have been unable to obtain space on a commercial flight, please contact ConAgencySeychelles@State.gov with your name, the names of your immediate family members who are also traveling, and all appropriate contact information.  The U.S. Consular Agency is unable to provide travel assistance to countries other than the United States. While no commercial options may currently exist, should one become available U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States are strongly urged to arrange travel immediately. As the Covid-19 situation develops, our ability to provide assistance working with commercial airlines or arrange for evacuation flights may become more limited or even unavailable. There is no guarantee that the Department of State will be able to continue to provide repatriation assistance and transportation options to the United States may be unavailable in the future. If you choose to remain overseas, you should be prepared to remain where you are for the foreseeable future.

The Reunion Regional Public Health Agency has confirmed 358 cases of COVID-19 in Reunion.

The Reunion Regional Public Health Agency has implemented measures to limit the spread of the COVID-19. Travelers should be prepared for restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. U.S. citizens who are considering returning to the United States are urged to work with their airlines to make travel arrangements while flights are still available.

Effective March 20, 2020, travelers arriving for pleasure, such as tourism and family visits, are not permitted entry to Reunion Island. All other passengers are screened by medical staff.

Effective March 30, 2020, travelers arriving in Reunion will be transported from the airport directly to quarantine centers. They will not be allowed to go to their homes or have in-person contact with external visitors for the following 14 days.

Visit the Reunion Regional Public Health Agency (French) for additional information.

U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. As the Covid-19 situation develops, our ability to provide assistance working with commercial airlines or arrange for evacuation flights may become more limited or even unavailable. There is no guarantee that the Department of State will be able to continue to provide repatriation assistance and transportation options to the United States may be unavailable in the future. If you choose to remain overseas, you should be prepared to remain where you are for the foreseeable future.

The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.

Actions to Take:

  •          Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
  •          Reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
  •          Visit the COVID-19 page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
  •          Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
  •          Visit the Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Mauritius, Seychelles, and Reunion.
  •          Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website for the latest travel restrictions to the United States.

Assistance:

By | 8 April, 2020 | Topics: Alert

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