Travel to Mauritius Island
Latest Information on Coronavirus (Covid-19) Last update: 26/10/2020
Credit: POST SOURCE
Disclaimer: The information provided in this document is to the best of the knowledge of the admins of “Mauritius in quarantine”.
Flights
Q: Which airlines can I use?
A: Only flights operated by Air Mauritius and Emirates are allowed to land in Mauritius at this point in time. There are only direct flights from Paris, Dubai, and Reunion. Other companies will try to sell you tickets even though they do not have authorization to land. It is advised you only book with Air Mauritius and Emirates until further notice. Many people who have flights booked with other companies are struggling to get refunds as flights get canceled close to the departure day. We suspect these airlines are misleading people into thinking they will obtain authorization to land but there has been no clear indication from the Mauritian government that this will happen.
Q: What documents do I need to bring?
A: From the MTPA website:
- a certificate of a negative COVID – 19 PCR test administered not more than 7 days prior to the date of embarkation. (This means you can do a test within 7 days of the flight, 7 days means literally within 168 hours e.g. if your flight is Monday 7 pm next week, don’t do the test before 7 pm Monday the week before. keep in mind you will need to leave enough time to receive the results before flying). This needs to be printed.
- a valid air ticket to Mauritius; and
- proof of purchase of a travel package including accommodation, on a full board basis, at a designated hotel for a mandatory 14-day in-room quarantine.
- You must also download, print, and fill the Public Health Covid-19 Passenger Health Self-Declaration Form and Passenger Locator Form available below:
Public-Health-Covid-19-Passenger-Self-Declaration-form.pdf
Public-Health-Passenger-Locator-Form.pdf
5. ONLY FOR NON-RESIDENT: Evidence of a return flight ticket. This will be required at the immigration counter.
Q: What test do I need to do before my flight?
A: You will need to get a PCR test from a lab which is approved by the country of departure. The test needs to be a PCR test, also called a swab test, and not an antibody test.
Q: What can I expect when I arrive at the airport?
A: Masks and gloves will be mandatory from the moment you leave the plane to the moment you will arrive at your hotel room. First, they will be a temperature test. You will then queue for immigration/passport control. Everyone will need to show their hotel booking and passport. A return ticket is also required if you’re a non-resident. Then you’ll be in line for the health counter. Here you will need to give the yellow health form, your printed pre-flight covid test results, Public Health Covid-19 Passenger Health Self-Declaration Form, and Passenger Locator Form. Next, you will undertake a PCR test. After that, you will be able to pick your luggage and then be directed to the coach which will take you to the hotel.
Q: Will the duty-free be open in Mauritius?
A: People arriving at the airport in Mauritius will not have access to the duty-free, ATM, cafes, etc…
Q: Who is allowed to come to Mauritius Island?
A: Everyone is allowed to come provided they do the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Quarantine
Q: Where can I book the quarantine hotel?
A: On the MPTA website: https://booking.mymauritius.travel/
Q: Can I book directly with the hotel without going through the MTPA?
A: No as there are specific hotels for specific arrival dates.
Q: Can I book a hotel that is not on the MTPA website?
A: No, the hotels on the MTPA are the only ones who have authorization for quarantine service.
Q: Can I self-isolate at home or at a private accommodation?
A: No, there is a strict protocol in place, you will only be allowed to quarantine at designated hotels.
Q: Will I still have to quarantine if…?
A: YES, everyone coming into Mauritius Island will have to do a mandatory 14-day quarantine at a hotel. This includes:
- people who already had COVID and now have an antibody test
- people returning for a family emergency
- people with the negative PCR test
- Children (including babies)
Q: How much does the quarantine cost?
A: The quarantine costs Rs 35,000 in a three-star hotel and Rs 50,000 in a four-star hotel, these prices are per person NOT per room. Five-star hotels set their own prices per person. The Mauritian government is working on adding guest houses which will be cheaper than the current option. There is an additional charge of Rs 13,500 for non-citizen (residents are still counted as a non-citizen) for medical costs ie. PCR test.
Q: I heard some people had access to quarantine for free, am I eligible?
A: Only people who went abroad for treatment paid by the Mauritian government are eligible for a free quarantine at a recreational center. The government announced that people stuck abroad can also get a loan from the SBM bank. Otherwise, they will look into it on a case-by-case basis.
Q: When will I have to pay for the hotel?
A: It depends on the hotel but usually you pay a deposit when you book. It can be 30% or 50% depending on the hotel. You will then have to pay for the rest when you arrive at the hotel.
Q: Which hotels will be available when I travel?
A: Information about which hotels are available is usually given around the 20th of the month before the flight. You will need to keep checking the MTPA website around this time.
Q: What can I do if there are only 4 or 5 stars hotels for my date?
A: There is usually a very limited number of hotels for each flight. The bookings are on a first come first serve basis. It’s possible that the MPTA will add more hotels for your date but you should try to book your hotel as soon as possible.
Q: Can I stay in the same room as my spouse/partner?
A: Yes, family members/couples/friends can stay together. Most 4-star hotels have family rooms. Other hotels could give you adjoining rooms.
Q: I’m Mauritian but my partner is not a citizen. How do I book a hotel?
A: Citizens and non-citizen have different prices for the quarantine since non-citizen must pay an extra Rs13,500 for health costs. As the MPTA website currently does not have an option for that, we recommend you to book on the website as 2 Mauritians and then contact the hotel directly to say one of you isn’t a Mauritian. They will then update your bill and add the health cost.
Q: May I go out of my room during quarantine, to exercise or catch some air?
A: You will not be able to leave your room during the duration of quarantine. You will not be able to access any of the hotel facilities (beach, swimming pool, restaurant, etc..).
Q: What can I expect in terms of services?
A: There will not be any cleaning services in your room; you need to clean your room. You will be given cleaning equipment and chemicals. All meals will be brought to your room. Hotels will provide a limited choice of options for each meal.
Q: Can I receive a package from someone in Mauritius Island when I’m in quarantine?
A: Yes you can. Some limitations include not being able to receive any cooked food, snacks are perfectly fine. Some hotels will also not let you receive alcohol.
Q: Can I drink/smoke in the hotel?
A: Policies vary widely between hotels. You should contact your hotel before flying to Mauritius Island. It is possible you will not be allowed to buy any at your quarantine hotel.
Q: What health checks do they perform during quarantine?
A: You will do a PCR test on day 0 (the day you land) at the airport. They will test you again on day 7 and test 14. You will receive a certificate on your last day stating you tested negative on all three tests before being able to leave. Medical staff will also check your temperature twice a day during the quarantine.
Q: When will I be released from quarantine?
A: Tests are usually done early in the morning of the 14th day (5-6 am). The staff will do their best to return the results as soon as possible on the same day (usually 5 pm onwards). It is a possibility that the results come back very late at night or the next day.
Testing
Q: What happens during a PCR test?
A: A soft cotton-tipped swab is inserted inside the nose.
Q: Will my child/baby need to be tested?
A: Yes but they will do a throat swab for children/babies instead of a nose swab.
Q: What will happen if I test positive for COVID upon arrival in Mauritius Island?
A: You will be transferred into the ENT hospital where you will remain until you test negative twice in a row.
Q: What will happen to my booking deposit if I test positive?
A: The deposit is non-refundable. The rest of the payment will depend on the hotel refund policy.
