Mauritius has lifted most of the health restrictions that were still in place to counter the Covid-19 pandemic, notably allowing the reopening of bars and nightclubs and the removal of the mandatory wearing of masks in public in order to revive its tourism activity.
Mauritius "is entering a new phase," Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said Tuesday evening, announcing these new measures after two years of restrictions.
"Difficult decisions had to be made, particularly a total lockdown which had consequences for the economy ," the Prime Minister recalled, while also welcoming the vaccination rate achieved by Mauritius.
"We did not rush to reopen our borders, it was done in stages and we see that it is a formula that has worked well ," Pravind Jugnauth stressed, concluding: "Now, it is with confidence that we can enter a new phase . "
Masks will no longer be mandatory in public spaces, but will remain required in healthcare facilities and on public transportation. Restrictions on public gatherings – weddings, funerals, places of worship, etc. – have been lifted, the Prime Minister announced.
Bars and nightclubs can reopen, as can large sports venues , and the ban on picnics on beaches has been lifted. The Prime Minister nevertheless encouraged the public to remain vigilant regarding the spread of the virus and to take precautions.
Mauritius had reopened its doors to international visitors in early October, but a resurgence of the pandemic the following month imposed a new wave of restrictive measures, plunging a tourism industry vital to the country back into crisis.
