Authorities in Mauritius have suspended all commercial passenger flights to Mauritius until mid-March due to rising COVID-19 cases.
The restriction applies to passengers wishing to travel to or transit through Mauritius. The measures are also applied to Rodrigues Island. Flights from Mauritius, including Rodrigues, are unaffected. Schools will be closed starting March 8, he said khaleejtimes.com.
Quarantine remains mandatory until May 31
"The National Covid-19 High Powered Committee met and decided to impose travel restrictions in Mauritius for a period of one week, starting March 6, 2021", It is shown in a communiqué.
Specifically, international flights remain suspended from 17:00 (local time), March 6, 2021, until 12:00 (local time), March 15, 2021.
During this period, Air Mauritius will be able to carry passengers, starting from Mauritius, but no passengers will be able to be transported to Mauritius. Also, no passengers will be transported from Mauritius to Rodrigues. However, passengers will be able to travel from Rodrigues to Mauritius, the country's national carrier said.
Kailesh Jagutpal, Mauritius' health minister, said it had taken this to provide the ministry with respite as the vaccination program was launched to the public, Bloomberg reported.
The island nation is set to begin a mass vaccination campaign starting Monday, March 8, after vaccinating its health care workers and the elderly.
Quarantine remains mandatory until May 31 for all persons entering the country. The authorities have largely eased the restrictive measures in recent months. Persons with a possible exposure to COVID-19 are subject to a 14-day quarantine at a government-approved unit. Individuals must wear masks on public transport; non-essential services and business remain open, subject to compliance with disease-related health regulations.