Visitors from South Africa and other Southern African countries will once again be able to travel to the paradise islands of the Seychelles as of Thursday, 6 January 2022, the country’s Ministry of Health has announced, also advising the introduction of additional considerations for incoming travellers with proof of past recent infection with COVID-19.
Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe have been removed from the list restricting travel to the Indian Ocean’s archipelago where they had been placed following the emergence of the Omicron variant late 2021. This means that visitors from countries all over the world may now travel to Seychelles irrespective of their vaccination status, although they are strongly encouraged to be fully immunised prior to travel.
Travellers must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of departure although asymptomatic infants under the age of two are exempt from PCR or Antigen testing requirements. Conditions of stay for children up to the age of 17 years are as for the parent/guardian they are accompanying, whilst asymptomatic infants below the age of 2 years are exempted from PCR or antigen testing requirements. All visitors must show proof of valid health and insurance to cover COVID-related quarantine, isolation or treatment and complete a Health Travel Authorisation at seychelles.govtas.com.
Additional considerations have been introduced from incoming travellers with proof of recent past infection between 2 and 12 weeks before the date of departure. These individuals can produce a negative rapid antigen test within 72 hours of departure, with evidence of this infection (a positive test result, and certificate confirmation of isolation or certificate of recovery) instead of a PCR test and submit those documents during the Travizory application process.
Welcoming the news, David Germain, the Tourism Seychelles Regional Director for Africa & the Americas who is based in Cape Town Tourism, said, “ this is wonderful news, South Africa is an important tourism source market for Seychelles, and we eagerly await the return of the South African & other African visitors to our shores,”
Visitors are advised to refer to the Ministry of Health’s Health Entry and Stay Conditions for Travellers as well as the Department of Tourism’s travel advisory at https://advisory.seychelles.travel/ full information concerning COVID-safe certified establishments, and testing and monitoring requirements in the destination should they not be staying in a certified tourism establishment.
