In a bold move to resuscitate its tourism industry, Seychelles has announced its plans to make the country more accessible to more visitors as quickly and safely as possible.
The plan was outlined during a press conference on 14 January 2021, jointly held by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr Sylvestre Radegonde, and the Health Ministry, Mrs Peggy Vidot. They explained that it will follow a two-phase approach, allowing certain visitors to enter the country with immediate effect, while a slightly relaxed set of rules will apply from mid-March when nearly three quarters of the local adult population will have received Covid-19 vaccinations.
READ: Seychelles launches its National COVID-19 Immunisation Campaign
Phase 1, which is currently in effect, allows for two types of visitors to enter the country:
- Vaccinated persons: Anyone who has successfully completed the required dose of one of the four currently available Covid-19 vaccines, at least two weeks prior to travelling to Seychelles. These visitors will need to submit an authentic certificate from their national health authority as proof of vaccination, as well as a negative Covid-19 PCR test result obtained less than 72 hours prior to travel.
- Non-vaccinated persons: Anyone travelling from one of the currently admitted destinations (Category 1 and 2, as outlined here) may still enter the country if they have not received a vaccination, as long as they produce a negative PCR test result obtained less than 72 hours prior to travel. (Prior to the announcement, Category 2 visitors were required to produce a negative PCR test result obtained less than 48 hours prior to travel.)
All existing Covid-19 health and safety precautions, such as wearing face masks and practising social distancing, will remain in full effect during both phases.
Phase 2 will launch in mid-March when Seychelles should have achieved herd immunity through its National Covid-19 Immunisation Campaign. In this phase, all visitors are welcome to the country regardless of their vaccination status, as long as they are able to produce a negative PCR test result obtained less than 72 hours prior to travel.
All existing Covid-19 health and safety precautions, such as wearing face masks and practising social distancing, will remain in full effect during both phases. Visitors are expected to comply fully with these regulations.
For more details about travelling to Seychelles, visit advisory.seychelles.travel.
