Seychelles to open up to unvaccinated travellers from 25 March
Vaccinated and unvaccinated holidaymakers welcome
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Summer holidays abroad might be back on the table after the Seychelles announced that unvaccinated travellers can enter the country without needing to self-isolate from 25 March.
The archipelago in the Indian Ocean is already letting visitors who can prove they’ve had both doses of an approved Covid-19 vaccine forgo quarantine, a measure it introduced in January.
Travellers must have had both jabs of the Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna or Janssen vaccine and wait two weeks after the second dose in order to enjoy a quarantine-free visit.
As proof of inoculation, visitors need to submit an “authentic certificate from their national health authority”, plus must present a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of travel upon arrival.
The island nation has now announced the next step in its ambitious plan to reopen for tourism: from 25 March there will be no quarantine requirement nor restriction on movement for unvaccinated travellers.
Minister for foreign affairs and tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, announced the easing of restrictions at a press conference on 4 March.
He said that the decision to relax the entry protocols was made based on the country’s successful vaccine rollout.
“The vaccination campaign has been quite successful,” said Mr Radegonde. “The government has done everything in its power to make sure that the population is protected.
“We have now arrived at the point where opening our borders further is the next step to allow for our economic recovery.
“The measures being announced reflect broadly the recommendation of our tourism partners and have been done in full consultation with and the endorsement of our health authorities.”
Visitors will still have to present a negative coronavirus test upon arrival, plus adhere to other public health measures, including wearing masks, social distancing and regular hand washing or sanitising.
Those travelling from anywhere in the world will be let in, barring visitors from South Africa, who are “still not be permitted to enter Seychelles for the time being until further review”.
Although the Seychelles is throwing open its doors from 25 March, international leisure travel will still be illegal in the UK at that point.
According to the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, the earliest date from which holidays abroad might be permitted is 17 May, subject to recommendations made by the Global Travel Taskforce.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments