Govt ‘disappointed’ in Mauritius travel ban

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation says it's disappointed that Mauritius has also turned its back on South African travellers.

 

 The Indian Ocean island has joined a growing list of countries that have temporarily banned flights from SA and several southern African nations following the detection of the Omicron Covid-19 variant. 

 

On Sunday, South African citizens - who were flying to Mauritius when the ban was imposed - were forced to quarantine on arrival.

 READ: SA's Covid-19 positivity rate shoots up to over 10%

“They have decided to apply further arrival restrictions on flights arriving from South Africa with immediate effect,” says the department’s Clayson Monyela. 

 

“So, as of Sunday and further notice, there will be no incoming passengers on flights connecting from South Africa to Mauritius. We think it is important as South Africans to know this, so if you are planning to travel to the country might have to look at other options."

 

Monyela says task teams are 24-hour standby at embassies to assist South Africans stranded abroad. 

 

“We would like to urge South Africans who may be similar circumstances to please contact the nearest embassy in the country where you may be. There is a team at all our embassies who can assist South Africans who are stranded and render the necessary counsel and services.”