Airport diaries
Yes, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the compulsory stop before the grand vacation. Once your plane has landed, prepare for the usual administrative phase, but even more annoying. However, expats that have already gone through this phase seem to have been satisfied with it. Sasha, a Russian expat returning to Mauritius, arrived at the end of July. “Immigration is first, as usual, but then you need to go through the sanitary protocol- you need to present your negative PCR test result done five to seven days before traveling, and you will also get tested again. Once all this is done, you will be directed to the coach or minibus sent by the hotel. Social distancing is maintained at all times, even in the bus. We were also escorted by policemen, it was kind of cool!” she explains.
Finally at the hotel
Once at the hotel, you almost forget you're in quarantine. Indeed, most expats interviewed have reported being welcomed with cocktails and warm eyes (they are probably smiling inside of their protective gear. From then on, however, the procedures differ depending on the hotel. For some, you are allowed to roam free right away, while for others you are shown to your room and only allowed to access the hotel facilities after the results of your PCR test is obtained. “If you are positive, you sometimes never really get the results of your test, which can leave some people anxious” explains Gerald, a French expat who is settling down in Mauritius. And from then on, let the holiday begin!
Food in quarantine
Over the last few weeks, things have improved a lot for expats and other travellers coming to Mauritius. For vaccinated travellers, meals are no longer served at your doorstep since the restaurants are all open and accessible. Cecilia, a traveller from South Africa, is indeed super satisfied with her stay at a hotel in the North-West of the island. "The staff was absolutely amazing, always smiling and trying to make us as comfortable as possible! The food was also great, and the kitchen did its best to accommodate my dietary requirements", she says.
But things are a bit trickier for unvaccinated travellers for whom there is a meal delivery service during the first days of quarantine. "The check-in was fast, and we were taken to our rooms with a bag of food, consisting of juice, sandwich, piece of cake and an apple, which was a very nice gesture. Later on, they brought us dinner as well, which I have to say was very tasty. In the morning, we were woken up by staff bringing us breakfast. Which again was delicious. The adult meals are on point, but we are having trouble with the kids' one. There seems to be no kids menu, or we don't know about one. We called reception. They are very helpful, but we didn't get to any conclusion. Hopefully, in the coming days, we will work something out together", says Jana, who has just landed in Mauritius from the UK through Dubai.
Leisure activities
Besides restaurants, all the hotel facilities, including leisure activities, are also fully operational in quarantine hotels. Only spas remain closed for now. So vaccinated expats can enjoy not only the swimming pool and the beach but also a range of activities for all ages and tastes. Meanwhile, unvaccinated travellers can still go out of their room to relax and enjoy some sunshine until they get their negative results.
