Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Port Louis, Mauritius (May 21, 2020)
Location: Mauritius, Seychelles, and Reunion (France – Overseas Department)
Event:
The Mauritius Ministry of Health has confirmed 332 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 May 1, the period of confinement was extended to June 1 with an easing of restrictions scheduled for May 15. Essential services including police, medical, and fire rescue continue to operate. Schools and universities are closed until further notice. 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.
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.
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 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 May 4, 2020, the government of Seychelles announced the easing of confinement measures. Restrictions on the movement of people are no longer in effect, however social distancing regulations remain in place. Shops are permitted to remain open until 20:00. The majority of non-essential services and businesses are permitted to reopen, subject to provisions outlined by the Department of Health.
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 Reunion Regional Public Health Agency has confirmed 447 cases of COVID-19.
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.
Effective May 11, 2020, an easing of confinement measures (French) was implemented. Social distancing and other health regulations remain in place. The majority of non-essential services and businesses are permitted to reopen, subject to provisions outlined by the authorities.
Visit the Reunion Regional Public Health Agency (French) for additional information.
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:
- U.S. Embassy Port Louis, Mauritius
- 4th Floor, Rogers House
- John Kennedy Avenue
- +230 202 4400
- PTLConsular@state.gov
- https://mu.usembassy.gov
- U.S. Consular Agency Victoria, Seychelles
- 2nd Floor Oliaji Trade Centre, Victoria
- +248 422 5256
- ConAgencySeychelles@state.gov
- State Department – Consular Affairs
- 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
