Regional travel: Updated entry requirements for the Seychelles

With its careful handling of the COVID-19 situation, the Seychelles has an exceptionally low number of infections and deaths from the virus. 

The Seychelles government has begun efforts to reopen its borders to selected nationalities. Last week the government issued a list of nationalities that are able to enter the country once again.

South Africa is one of the countries that has been added to the “safe” list. This paves the way for South Africans to plan trips to this exceptionally beautiful group of islands. The timing is perfect too, for anyone who is looking for a December island escape.  

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY

The Seychelles has classified international visitors according to two categories.

Category 1

Category 1 visitors are nationals from countries that are considered to be of lower risk. These visitors will be able to visit the Seychelles as usual, and will be able to stay at accommodation venues of their own choice. No quarantine is required whatsoever.

These visitors will be required to produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test result which must be obtained within 72 hours of departure.

Category 2

Category 2 visitors are nationals from countries that are considered to be of higher risk.

These visitors will be able to visit the Seychelles but will have to stay at designated hotels and resorts, and will be required to quarantine at those hotels and resorts for the first five days of their visit to the Seychelles.     

These visitors will be required to produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test result which must be obtained within 48 hours of departure.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE QUARANTINE REQUIREMENT

Category 2 visitors will not be quarantined in their hotel rooms, but they will also not be able to leave the designated property they are staying at.

On the fifth day of their stay, visitors will undergo a COVID PCR test and, if negative, they will be able to move freely throughout the archipelago for the duration of their stay in the Seychelles.

The testing will be conducted free of charge to visitors. If test results are positive, a visitor is required to stay in the designated hotel or resort until they receive clearance from the Seychelles Public Health Authority.

It is essential that visitors who fall into this category have valid travel insurance with full medical cover for the duration of their stay.

NEWLY ADDED NATIONALITIES THAT MAY ENTER THE SEYCHELLES

The updated list of nationalities considered to be low-risk countries now includes Botswana, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, South Africa and Zimbabwe.  

The nationalities which are considered to be high-risk countries include France, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

RESUMPTION OF FLIGHTS TO THE SEYCHELLES   

Air Seychelles will resume direct flights between South Africa and the Seychelles in November. The airline will operate one flight per week, on Saturdays. In December the airline will increase frequencies to three flights per week.

Flights from Johannesburg will arrive in Mahe, (Seychelles International Airport) in time for passengers to connect with the airline’s flights to smaller outlying islands in the archipelago.