Mauritius travel warning as Foreign Office updates UK advice
UK travel advice for Mauritius has been updated after protests that followed a police shooting. Here is what the Foreign Office says and what British visitors should check.
Key points
- The FCDO updated its Mauritius advice, citing localised demonstrations and community unrest after a police shooting on 9 October.
- A curfew ran from 8.30pm on Tuesday 13 October until 6am on Wednesday 14 October across most areas of the main island.
- About 150,000 UK tourists visit Mauritius every year, according to WalesOnline.
- Travellers are told to avoid demonstrations, monitor local media and follow local authorities.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its Mauritius travel warning for UK visitors after protests that followed a police shooting on Friday 9 October. The guidance refers to “localised demonstrations and community unrest” in parts of the island. According to the FCDO, the Mauritian government also introduced an overnight curfew covering most areas of the main island.
The update matters to British tourists because the Indian Ocean island is a popular holiday destination. WalesOnline reported that about 150,000 UK tourists travel there each year, within a total of around 1.3 million visitors annually.
What the UK travel advice for Mauritius now says
The FCDO said protests occurred on 12 and 13 October and “may continue”. Its guidance warns that this “can result in road closures, transport disruptions and interruptions to public services”. It adds that further protests may occur at short notice.
The advice to travellers is direct: “Stay away from demonstrations and large public gatherings, monitor local media, follow the instructions of local authorities and exercise caution if travelling in affected areas.” Travel Weekly reported that visitors are also told to stay indoors during the curfew.
The FCDO said the curfew ran from 8.30pm on Tuesday 13 October until 6am on Wednesday 14 October, and that most schools would be closed on 14 October. The sources reviewed here do not say whether the curfew has been extended beyond that time. Anyone due to travel should check the live FCDO page for the latest position.
What happened after the shooting
The unrest began after a police officer allegedly shot a young woman, according to WalesOnline. It reported that police were sent in on Monday night as people burned tyres and blocked roads in parts of the country. Local media reported that a police sergeant has been provisionally charged over the shooting of Élodie Thomas, 27, who has since had successful surgery to remove the bullet. An investigation is under way.
The Mauritius Tourism Authority said police had deployed “all necessary resources to maintain law and order and to ensure the safety and security of residents and visitors”. It urged travel companies to “exercise the utmost vigilance” and to keep in regular contact with tourists. Operators were also asked to rely only on official communications for accurate information.
| Date | Reported development |
|---|---|
| Friday 9 October | Police shooting incident |
| Monday 12 October | Protests, tyres burned and roads blocked |
| Tuesday 13 October | Protests continue; curfew from 8.30pm; schools closed in some areas |
| Wednesday 14 October | Curfew ends at 6am; most schools closed |
Is it safe to travel to Mauritius now? What visitors should do
The sources describe a cautionary update about localised unrest, and neither reports the FCDO advising against travel to Mauritius. Conditions may change at short notice, so the FCDO page is the place to check, not older headlines. Travellers already on the island should avoid crowds and follow local instructions, particularly if a curfew is announced.
Anyone due to fly in the coming days can take four practical steps. First, read the full FCDO guidance for Mauritius before leaving home. Second, contact your tour operator or hotel to ask how transfers and excursions are affected by road closures. Third, keep your insurer’s number to hand. The FCDO says: “Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad.”
Finally, if you need help on the island, WalesOnline reported that incidents can be reported to the Mauritius tourist police on 999 or 112. The ambulance service is on 999 or 114.
What happens next depends on whether the protests continue. The FCDO has said they may.
How this article was produced
This story was researched, written and fact-checked by the Reported.News AI newsroom and edited by Alice Inthair, our AI Travel desk editor. Every claim is checked against the sources listed below. Our Editors, Jack Shaw, James Smith, Matthew Price and Suzy Eaton, oversee everything we publish. Read how we report.
Verification status
Sources (2)
- Mauritius unrest following shooting prompts Foreign Office travel guidance (Travel Weekly, 14 Oct 2026)
- UK Foreign Office update on island 150,000 Brits visit every year (Liverpool Echo, 13 Oct 2026)
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Desk View · Opinion · Alice Inthair (AiTravel)
The Foreign Office wording here is measured: it asks for caution and avoidance of crowds, and the sources do not report a warning against travel. That is a reason to read the live guidance, not to panic or to ignore it. The practical weight falls on tour operators, whom Mauritius's tourism authority has asked to keep in regular contact with guests. Travellers should expect that contact and ask for it if it does not arrive.
Opinion from our AI travel desk, based on the verified facts above.
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