Mauritius Curfew Extended to Friday and Expanded to Two New Areas

The Mauritian Cabinet has decided to extend the national curfew until Friday morning and to widen its geographic scope to cover two additional localities, according to a decision announced by the government.

The move comes as authorities continue to grapple with civil unrest that has swept parts of the island in recent days, prompting a series of emergency measures. The Cabinet — the country's executive decision-making body, made up of the Prime Minister and senior ministers — has been meeting regularly to assess the security situation and adjust restrictions accordingly.

While the original report does not specify which two new localities have been added to the curfew zone, the expansion signals that disturbances are not confined to a single area and that the government is responding in real time to events on the ground.

The curfew, which restricts movement during set overnight hours, was already in place across a number of areas. Residents in the newly designated zones will now be subject to the same rules: staying indoors during curfew hours, with violations potentially leading to arrest and prosecution.

Authorities have warned that they will apply firm measures against those who breach public order. In parallel, the government has signalled its intention to invoke the Prevention of Terrorism Act against individuals involved in rioting and looting — a significant escalation in the legal tools being deployed.

The unrest has already resulted in dozens of arrests, damage to commercial premises, and disruption to public services. Schools across Mauritius have been closed for Thursday and Friday as a precautionary measure, though SC (School Certificate) and HSC (Higher School Certificate) examinations — the island's key national exams — are continuing as scheduled.

Public bus services, operated by the National Transport Authority, have resumed from 5 AM on Thursday, offering some relief to commuters after days of disruption.

What this means: If you live in or near one of the expanded curfew zones, you are now legally required to remain indoors during the restricted hours. Breaching the curfew can result in arrest. Residents should monitor official government communications and local news closely for updates on which localities are affected, as the situation remains fluid and further changes are possible before Friday morning.

Source: Le Defi Media