Mauritius has confirmed it will lift restrictions for fully vaccinated holidaymakers on 1 October.

Those who present a negative PCR test, taken no more than 72 hours previously, will be free to explore the Indian Ocean island.

At the moment, holidaymakers – who must be fully vaccinated – must spend 14 days after their arrival in a resort bubble, so many don’t have any time left to visit the island’s main attractions.

However, the tourist board said the successful acceleration of the country’s vaccination programme mean it could progress with the full opening on 1 October.

So far, 60% of its population has received one dose of the COVID vaccine and 48% are fully vaccinated.

The Mauritian government took the decision in January to prioritise tourism workers and hotel staff in the vaccine rollout.

Tourism authority Director Arvind Bundhun said: “Mauritius is delighted to see the world opening up again for travel.

“We have been welcoming international visitors to our island since the middle of July and the ‘resort bubbles’ have proven a great success.

“We are looking forward to the next stage of our reopening on 1 October, when vaccinated visitors will be able to explore the island without restriction from the moment of their arrival.

“The safety and security of Mauritian residents, citizens and guests remains paramount.”

Unvaccinated travellers are required to complete a 14-day quarantine period in a designated quarantine hotel.