Mauritius Lifts Night Curfew After Week of Violent Protests
Mauritius lifted a nighttime curfew on October 19, 2026, that had been imposed during violent protests.
The office of Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam announced that day that the curfew would not be extended, with the final restriction ending at 4:30 a.m. Al Jazeera
The British government said temporary evening and overnight curfews had covered most areas of the main island from October 12 to October 18.
The protests that began in October were over water shortages and the rising cost of living. They erupted into violence on a Friday in October when a woman was shot, in unrest the BBC described as the worst riots in decades.
The shooting occurred in Beau Bassin-Rose Hill, according to the Washington Post. A police officer shot the woman in the neck and seriously wounded her. The officer was arrested and brought to court.
At least 188 people were arrested during the unrest on charges including looting, arson, damage to police stations and possession of explosives.
All schools in Mauritius reopened with classes running as usual on October 19. The British government updated its travel advice to urge travelers to stay away from demonstrations and large public gatherings.
Mauritius authorities had ordered a curfew in some parts of the country on a Tuesday night following unrest over the shooting, according to Reuters. An overnight curfew was imposed in the capital and major towns after the shooting, in unrest ABC News described as rare civil unrest. The curfew was extended for a further two nights on Thursday.
