Phase one of reopening of the borders for the Indian Ocean Island, which runs from July 15 to until September 30, allows vaccinated guests to stay in one of 14 chosen ‘resort bubbles’.

 Holidaymakers will be able to enjoy facilities within their chosen hotel including the swimming pool and beach. If guests stay for 14 days and have negative PCR tests during their stay in the resort, they will then be able to leave the hotel and travel around the island freely for the rest of their stay, exploring the island’s many attractions. However, for shorter stays, they may leave the resort earlier and travel back home.

 The decision to reopen Mauritius’ borders, announced in   June,   came   following   the successful acceleration of the country’s vaccination programme. International tourism represents a large amount   of   the   island   nation’s    GDP    and    the    Mauritian    government took    the    decision    in    January    to    include    tourism     workers     and     hotel     staff     as frontline workers   to   ensure   visitors   will   be   welcomed   into   a   safe   and   secure environment in Mauritius.

 Hon. Steven Obeegadoo, minister of tourism, Mauritius, said: “Mauritius is delighted to be welcoming international visitors into our safe and secure environment on the island. We are in a unique position to be able to allow international visitors, both vaccinated and non-vaccinated, to our resort bubbles and quarantine hotels before allowing guests to experience the island’s attractions. The safety and security of Mauritian citizens, residents, and those visiting the island is paramount and we are grateful to those who have cooperated throughout the pandemic to make this possible. The acceleration of our vaccination programme has enabled us to partially reopen our borders and we look forward to fully opening our borders in October.”