23 March 2021
There's a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You can’t leave Australia unless you have an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs, or are travelling to a destination that is exempt from the ban.
Our global travel advice remains at 'Do not travel' due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel. Some destinations were already set at Do Not Travel prior to COVID-19 due to the extreme risk to your safety.
If you’re overseas and wish to return to Australia, be prepared for delays and read our advice on trying to get home.
When you arrive in Australia you must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities in your port of arrival, unless you have an exemption or are travelling on a quarantine-free flight from a green zone destination. At this time, vaccination against COVID-19 does not change this quarantine requirement. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. View State and Territory Government COVID-19 information for information about quarantine and domestic borders.
If you're staying overseas, make plans to stay for an extended period. Follow the advice of local authorities and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe.
Our network of embassies and consular posts around the world will provide you with up-to-date local advice and support throughout this difficult period. Be aware consular services may be limited due to local measures.
For the latest information, read and subscribe to our news and travel advice. Also see our COVID-19 information pages.
Call 995.
Call 114 for Service Aide Medicale d'Urgence, a free state-run ambulance and emergency service.
Go direct to a hospital.
Call 118 for Darne private clinic.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Mauritius has established 24/7 hotlines. If you're in Mauritius, you can call the following numbers to seek guidance:
Call 999 or visit the nearest police station.
Call 210 3894 or 686 5500 for the tourist police.
Do not travel to Mauritius.
Do not travel overseas due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Crime levels in Mauritius are low. However, petty crime happens and includes:
Some incidents of assault, rape and murder have occurred, including in resorts.
The risk increases:
The rate of crime is higher in downtown Port Louis and in the coastal tourist centres of:
Staying at unregistered beachside bungalows can also be dangerous. Some travellers have been assaulted and robbed at such accommodation.
Stay in accommodation that's registered with local authorities.
To protect yourself from crime:
Avoid using ATMs on the street. Use ATMs in:
Stay alert when withdrawing cash.
Mauritian authorities now use camera surveillance, particularly in tourist areas.
Rallies and demonstrations occur sometimes.
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
To protect yourself during periods of unrest:
More information:
Transport and tour operators don't always follow safety and maintenance standards. This includes adventure activities like diving and swimming with dolphins.
Travellers have died in accidents during water-based activities.
If you plan to do an adventure activity:
If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.
For water-based activities, ask if your operator:
Mauritius can experience natural disasters and severe weather, including:
Monitor local media and other sources including:
If a natural disaster occurs:
Cyclone season is from November to May. However, cyclones can occur throughout the year.
Cyclones can cause:
The direction and strength of cyclones can change with little warning.
If there's a cyclone or severe tropical storm:
Stay up to date on weather conditions and forecasts. Monitor the World Meteorological Organisation Severe Weather Information Centre.
If a cyclone is approaching or a warning is in place:
For up-to-date cyclone information:
Mauritius can experience high levels of rainfall. This can cause severe floods.
Stay up to date on weather conditions and forecasts throughout your stay.
Mauritius can experience tsunamis.
Be alert to warnings. A tsunami can arrive within minutes of a nearby tremor or earthquake.
To receive tsunami alerts, register with the Global Disaster Alert and Co-ordination System.
To protect yourself from tsunamis, move immediately to high ground if you:
Don't wait for official warnings.
Once on high ground, monitor local media.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. A ban on overseas travel from Australia remains in place. You can’t leave Australia unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medications available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Mauritius. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription and a dated letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
COVID-19 remains a risk in Mauritius. If you're in Mauritius, you can call the COVID-19 hotline: 8924.
For information on the COVID-19 vaccination program in Mauritius, refer to the Facebook page or website of the Mauritius Ministry of Health and Wellness. You should consult your local health professional for advice on vaccine options, including assistance that may be available locally.
The Australian Government cannot provide advice on the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines that have been approved for use outside of Australia's regulatory process.
More information:
Insect-borne illnesses occur, particularly in the warmer months from October to May.
Disease risks include:
Some cases of malaria and dengue are reported in Mauritius. There's no risk on Rodrigues Island.
To protect yourself from disease:
Get medical advice if you develop a fever, muscle pain, a rash or a bad headache.
HIV/AIDS is a risk. Take precautions if taking part in activities that put you at risk of infection.
Swine flu (influenza A H1N1) occurs.
Have a flu shot before travelling.
More information:
Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are a risk, including:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
To protect yourself from illness:
Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
More information:
The standard of public medical facilities varies.
Most travellers go to private doctors or clinics. You will usually need to pay upfront before they will treat you.
There's only one decompression chamber, at Victoria Hospital in Quatre Bornes.
If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated. Medical evacuation can be very expensive and may be difficult to arrange given the current restrictions around COVID-19.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
Mauritius has implemented strict sanitary measures and you may be fined or imprisoned if you don't comply with these measures. You must respect social distancing regulations, wear a face mask and use hand sanitiser in public.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Legal cases take a long time to process. If you become involved in a legal matter, you may have to stay in Mauritius until your case is resolved.
Mauritius has severe penalties for drug offences, including fines and jail terms of up to 60 years.
More information:
In Mauritius, it's illegal to:
Same-sex relationships are legal, however Mauritian society is conservative. Avoid public displays of affection.
More information:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Mauritius has conservative standards of dress and behaviour.
Take care not to offend, especially if you visit:
Requests for extensions to Tourist/Business visas and resident permits that have expired due to COVID-19 lockdowns and border closures should be made through the Mauritian Passport and Immigration Office (Tel: +230 210 9418 or +230 260 2073 or by email on piovisa@govmu.org).
Mauritius has introduced a one-year, renewable Premium Visa for non-citizens who intend to stay in Mauritius for a maximum period of one year as a tourist, a retiree or as a professional.
The following information may not apply while COVID-19 travel restrictions are in place.
If you're staying less than 60 days a 'free of charge' visa will be provided to you on arrival. For other types of visits, you'll need to apply for a visa prior to your travel.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
Departing Mauritius
If you want to depart Mauritius, stay in touch with airlines or your travel agent for flight options. If you want to return to Australia, you can register with the Australian High Commission.
Entering Mauritius
You are not able to enter Mauritius. Borders are closed and all incoming passenger flights to Mauritius have been suspended.
Cruise ships have been denied access to port.
Staying in Mauritius
All essential emergency and security services are operational. All medical services, including opticians, dentists and veterinarians, are open with strict sanitary measures. All supermarkets, shopping centres, market fairs and beauty salons are also open with strict sanitary measures.
Many cultural, social and sporting activities remain closed. This includes gymnasiums, community halls and receptions, beaches, public gardens and parks. Restaurants remain open for take away options only. Outdoor individual physical activities are allowed.
Public and private gatherings are limited to 10 people. Authorised civil marriages and funerals are also limited to 10 people.
Children under 18 years and the elderly are advised to stay at home. All schools (nurseries, pre-primary, primary, secondary, tertiary and Technical and Vocational Education Training institutions) are closed, except for students undertaking public school exams.
Public transport services are available with strict sanitary measures. Passengers must respect social distancing regulations, use hand sanitiser and wear a face mask.
You may be fined or imprisoned if you don't comply with sanitary measures.
If you're staying in Mauritius:
More information:
The following information may not apply while COVID-19 travel restrictions are in place.
You must give details of your accommodation on arrival. If you can't show proof of a booking, immigration officials may not let you enter.
If you're arriving from a country known to have malaria, you'll receive a follow-up visit from the Mauritian Health Department. You must do a blood test for the malaria-causing parasite.
You need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Mauritius if you're arriving from a country with yellow fever.
More information:
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
The local currency is the Mauritius Rupee (MUR).
Declare all amounts of more than MUR 500,000 when you arrive and depart. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
Don't change money on the street. Use banks and official exchange bureaus.
ATMs are common in most towns and in large shopping centres.
You can use credit cards at most hotels, restaurants and large shops.
Ask your bank if your cards will work in Mauritius.
To drive in Mauritius, you need to be at least 18 years old and have either:
Obtain your IDP before leaving Australia.
More information:
You're twice as likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident in Mauritius as in Australia. Mauritius has a zero tolerance policy on alcohol consumption and driving.
Hazards include:
If you plan to drive:
More information:
Make sure your insurance policy covers you before riding a motorbike or similar vehicle.
Always wear a helmet.
Use only registered taxis and limousines. Try to book them through your hotel.
Book in advance if you're travelling at night.
Public transport is operational with strict sanitary measures. Passengers must respect social distancing regulations, use hand sanitisers and wear face masks.
More information:
Cruise liners visit Mauritius.
There have been no pirate attacks in Mauritius's territorial waters. However, piracy is a major threat in the Indian Ocean.
Don't travel within 1000 nautical miles (1852km) off the Somali coast. Sailing vessels are a target for pirates. Read piracy reports from the International Maritime Bureau.
More information:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Mauritius' air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
Air Mauritius is in voluntary administration. Receive updates on future flight plans by staying in contact with the airline or your travel agent.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 995.
Call 114 for Service Aide Medicale d'Urgence, a free state-run ambulance and emergency service.
Go direct to a hospital.
Call 118 for Darne private clinic.
Call 999 or visit the nearest police station.
Call 210 3894 or 686 5500 for the tourist police.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Check the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Get consular help from the High Commission in Mauritius. Note that the High Commission is temporarily closed to the public except for essential passport, consular and notarial services by appointment. Appointments can be requested via email (contact details below).
2nd Floor, Rogers House
5 President John Kennedy Street
Port Louis, Mauritius
Phone: (+230) 202 0160
General enquiries email: ahc.portlouis@dfat.gov.au
Consular enquiries email: consular.portlouis@dfat.gov.au
Website: mauritius.highcommission.gov.au
Facebook: Australian High Commission in Mauritius
Twitter: @AusHC_MU
The website provides details about opening hours, any temporary closures to the public, and services offered.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.