Seychelles opens up tourism albeit with conditions to follow

Saturday, January 23, 2021

Seychelles, known for its pristine beaches,has re-opened borders to all countries worldwide with immediate effect. The much-anticipated news by the tourism industry considering the recent launch of the immunisation campaign, was announced by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, SylvestreRadegonde during a joint press brief with his counterpart from the Health Ministry, Peggy Vidot, on January 14, 2021.

The officials stated that the opening will be executed in a two-step approach by simplifying and relaxing the restrictive measures to relaunch the tourism industry in Seychelles.

In the first phase of the opening, travellers will be required to produce proof of a valid vaccination certificate from the national health authority (minimum of two weeks since administration of the second dose of the vaccine) along with a negative COVID-19 PCR report obtained less than 72 hours prior to travel. These visitors need not quarantine upon arrival to Seychelles.

The Seychelles Islands is currently open to Indian visitors through private jet transfers only. Such travellers will be required to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR report obtained less than 72 hours prior to travel. Visitors who haven’t taken the complete dose of vaccination or not travelling via private jets, will not be permitted entry into Seychelles.This will be in force until mid-March once Seychelles has vaccinated a large majority of its adult population.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government donated 50,000 doses of a China-manufactured COVID-19 vaccine to Seychelles while the Indian government has offered 100,000 doses of the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine by the end of January. Going by numbers, the country has forecasted that 25% of its population is likely to be vaccinated by mid-March which will witness the roll-out of the second phase of welcoming international tourists to the island nation.

The country will open up to all visitors, vaccinated or not.Travellers planning a vacation during this time will only have to present a negative COVID-19 PCR certificate with the test taken maximum of 72 hours prior to departure with no quarantine upon arrival into the country.

Irrespective of when one may travel to Seychelles, visitors have to abide to the existing health measures (like wearing face masks, social distancing etc.) which remain applicable as per the travel advisory published on theDepartment of Tourism website.

Similarly,alltourism operatorswillstill be required to follow their existing COVID-19 standard operating procedure and protocol.

This announcement has come at a time when the Indian government has signed an air bubble agreement with Seychelles allowing Air Seychelles to fly into the destination from India.

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