From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Mauritius Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Tue, 18 Feb 1997 15:07:07 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1251 Path: world!bzs Message-ID: <970218150706_76702.1202_CHN61-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: bzs@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 77 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Mauritius ============================================================ Mauritius - Consular Information Sheet February 13, 1997 Country Description: The Republic of Mauritius is a developing nation with a stable government and a growing economy. Facilities for tourism are largely available. Although the spoken languages are French and Creole, English is the official language. Entry Requirements: Travelers should obtain the latest information and details from the Embassy of Mauritius, Suite 441, 4301 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 244-1491/2 or Honorary Consulates located in Los Angeles, telephone (818) 788-3720, and Atlanta, telephone (404) 892-8733. Overseas inquiries may be made at the nearest Mauritian embassy or consulate. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities are available, but more limited than in the United States. Doctors and private clinics require cash or credit card payment for health care services. Public hospitals provide limited facilities. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical services outside the United States. Travelers have found supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas and medical evacuation coverage to be useful. For additional health information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559, Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/. Information on Crime: Petty crime is common in Mauritius. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" provide useful information on protecting personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general. Both pamphlets are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Road Safety/Traffic Conditions: Driving is on the left side of the road. Generally, roads are in good condition but are sometimes narrow and uneven with inadequate lighting. Traffic can be very heavy during peak periods and local driving habits are unpredictable. Since riots have occasionally occurred due to traffic accidents, visitors should precede directly to the nearest police station if a crowd forms. Public transportation is available between the main towns until 10:30 pm and in the remote areas until 6:00 pm. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Jail sentences for illegal importation of drugs may vary from 20 years to life imprisonment. Registration/Embassy Location: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Mauritius. The U.S. Embassy, located at Rogers House (Fourth Floor) on John F. Kennedy Street in Port Louis, also provides consular services for U.S. citizens in Comoros. The telephone numbers are (230) 208-9764 thru 208-9769, 208-2347 and 208-2354; fax (230) 208-9534. 97-020 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated February 13, 1996 to add information on road safety/traffic conditions. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories