Travelling to Mauritius? What South Africans need to know now the curfew has lifted

Travelling to Mauritius this summer? The island has just come through its worst unrest in nearly three decades.

A nighttime curfew has now been lifted.

Roads have reopened, and daily life is returning to normal.

But there are still a few things South African travellers should know before they go.

The Mauritian government ended the curfew on Monday, 19 October.

“The last curfew ended at 4:30am on Monday 19 October, and it has not been extended,” Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam‘s office said.

The government said the curfew was lifted thanks to the “favourable evolution of the situation”.

WHAT HAPPENED IN MAURITIUS?

The unrest began around 7 October, with protests over water shortages and the rising cost of living.

It escalated on 9 October, when a police officer shot and wounded a 27-year-old woman, sparking more violent protests, roadblocks and property damage.

The government introduced temporary nighttime curfews covering most of the main island, including the capital, Port Louis.

According to the British government, they ran from 12 to 18 October.

At least 188 people were arrested on charges including looting, arson, damage to police stations and possession of explosives.

The police officer involved in the shooting has been arrested and brought to court.

IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO MAURITIUS NOW?

According to a local tourism operator, roads are open, schools have reopened and daily life is back on track.

However, the British government has advised visitors to stay away from demonstrations and large public gatherings, and to follow the advice of local authorities.

THE TRAVEL FORM EVERY VISITOR NEEDS

Before you fly, there’s one thing every traveller must do.

All passengers travelling to Mauritius must complete the Mauritius All-in-One Travel Digital Form before boarding, on the government’s official website.

WHAT ABOUT EBOLA?

Mauritius has had Ebola-related travel measures in place since June 2026, in response to an outbreak mainly affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

According to an aviation industry update on 13 October, travellers who’ve been in the DRC or South Sudan within the past 21 days aren’t allowed to enter Mauritius, with exceptions for Mauritian nationals and permit holders.

Visitors who are allowed in may also face a medical assessment on arrival.

For most South African travellers, the Ebola rules won’t apply, unless you’ve recently visited one of the affected countries.

DO SOUTH AFRICANS NEED A VISA?

No. South Africans can visit Mauritius visa-free for up to 90 days.

TIPS FOR TRAVELLING TO MAURITIUS

• Complete the All-in-One Travel Digital Form before you fly.
• Avoid protests and large gatherings, even if they seem peaceful.
• Keep an eye on local news during your stay.
• Check your travel insurance, since some policies exclude claims related to civil unrest.
• Register your trip with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), by emailing rosahelp@dirco.gov.za.