Seychelles Implements Travel Restrictions for Specific Countries Amid COVID-19 Outbreaks
Seychelles has imposed travel restrictions on individuals from Brazil, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh due to rising COVID-19 cases. Only vaccinated travellers from the latter three countries may enter, while Brazilian nationals are denied entry. Seychellois citizens and permanent residents are exempt but must quarantine. The country has vaccinated over half its population as part of its herd immunity goal.
The Seychelles government announced new travel restrictions on April 21, 2021, specifically targeting travellers from Brazil, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, due to escalating COVID-19 cases in those nations. According to the Ministry of Health, effective immediately, individuals attempting to enter Seychelles from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination with their travel authorization application. This vaccination documentation will undergo verification by the Public Health Authority.
In addition to these requirements, travellers from Brazil are outright prohibited from entering Seychelles, an archipelago located in the western Indian Ocean. However, these regulations do not impact Seychellois citizens and permanent residents, who are allowed entry but must adhere to quarantine measures based on Public Health Authority guidelines.
These travel measures arrive nearly one month after Seychelles reopened its borders to all visitors, except for those arriving from South Africa, as part of efforts to revitalize the tourism sector, which has suffered significantly due to the pandemic.
Regarding the nation’s vaccination progress, as of the latest report, 50,524 of Seychelles’ 98,462 citizens have received two doses of either the Covishield or Sinopharm vaccines, reflecting 51% of the population. The target to achieve herd immunity is set at 70,000, with 66,433 individuals vaccinated to date, equating to 95% of the target population, since the vaccination campaign initiated on January 10, 2021.
In summary, Seychelles has instituted new travel restrictions for individuals from Brazil, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan amid rising COVID-19 cases in these countries. While the travel prohibition is stringent for travellers from Brazil, those from the other three nations may enter only if vaccinated. These measures highlight Seychelles’ continued efforts to secure public health while balancing the recovery of its tourism industry, supported by a significant vaccination campaign.
Original Source: www.seychellesnewsagency.com
