Conditions for entry of persons into Seychelles |25 September 2020

These guidelines will be in force as from October 1, 2020 and will be reviewed periodically.

Currently, visitors are permitted to travel to Seychelles if they are travelling from countries that are on the published list of permitted countries, provided that they have not been in a country not on the permitted list in the previous 14 days. If the travel involves a transit stop in a country not on the permitted list and the traveller does not leave the airport in the transit country, that traveller is permitted to travel to Seychelles. Conditions covering pre-travel, travel, arrival and stay in Seychelles remain in force and are detailed below.

Additionally, with effect from October 1, 2020, visitors from a limited number of countries not on the published permitted list are permitted to travel to Seychelles. These countries will appear as “special status countries” for the purpose of this advisory, and different conditions apply to travellers from these countries.

The list of permitted countries, “special status countries” and conditions are reviewed periodically and will be issued by the department of health and published on the department of health and tourism department websites. Visitors should note that the Covid-19 outbreak is dynamic and the listing of countries may change. They must therefore ensure that flight and hotel bookings permit flexibility regarding cancellation or postponement at short notice.

All persons, including all categories of visitors, Seychellois, persons holding permanent residence or GOP, diplomats, consultants, crews of shipping vessels intending to travel to Seychelles must apply for their Health Travel Authorisation, at https://seychelles.govtas.com/. Applicants must have at hand their passport, valid negative PCR Covid-19 test result, itinerary, accommodation booking confirmation and GOP certificate. All visitors are also required to have travel and health insurance cover for Covid-19 related quarantine and medical care.

Health Travel Authorisation will be issued electronically by email to applicants. Travellers must present the Authorisation in printed or electronic form at check-in and on arrival. Airlines will not board any traveller without the Authorisation. Travellers are advised to carry printed copies of all the essential documents.

Visitors to Seychelles from countries on the list of permitted countries

1. All travellers must submit proof of a valid negative Covid-19 PCR test that is done less than 72 hours prior to departure to Seychelles.
2. Travellers must present proof of negative test results when checking-in for their flight to Seychelles. Airlines will not accept passengers for travel to Seychelles without the test result.
3. Aircraft/Airline are not to board any passengers or crew who are symptomatic of Covid-19.
4. Any travellers who arrive in Seychelles without the Health Travel Authorisation and acceptable proof of negative Covid-19 PCR test will be denied entry.
5. Exit screening at the airport of origin and transit must have been completed by all incoming passengers and crew.
6. Entry screening will be done upon arrival starting with examination of the Health Travel Authorisation, symptomatic check, temperature scanning. The passenger may be required to undergo additional tests.
7. All travellers must provide proof of accommodation in an approved establishment for the entire period of stay and must show booking vouchers at Immigration on entry. (Visitors should consult the Seychelles Tourism website (www.tourism.gov.sc) for the list of approved establishments and any additional advice.)
8. Visitors are permitted to stay in not more than 2 different approved establishments in the first 7 days.
9. To ensure the safety of staff and visitors, all persons at tourism establishments are monitored daily for signs of illness by the Health and Safety Officer or designated person.
10. All tourism establishments, including hotels, restaurants, taxis, tour operators, ferries and domestic flight services, have set up measures to increase vigilance, enhance hygiene and social and physical distancing. Visitors are required to follow the guidance of the management and staff. (See also Guide for Visitors published by the Department of Tourism)
11. Visitors must adhere to all the regulations in place, including the wearing of face masks in indoor and outdoor settings defined by law. There is prohibition of the use of public buses by visitors.
12. Any illness must be reported immediately to the management of the establishment, who will provide appropriate guidance.

Visitors to Seychelles from “special status countries”

1. All travellers from “special status countries” must submit proof of a valid negative Covid-19 PCR test that is done less than 48 hours prior to departure to Seychelles.
2. Visitors are required to stay in one establishment, specifically authorised to accommodate visitors from such countries, for the first 5 days after entering Seychelles (or for the entire duration of stay should it be less than 5 days). Refer to list at (www.tourism.gov.sc)
3. Visitors must stay within areas designated by the establishment during this initial period, and are required to strictly adhere to all the conditions in place at the establishment.
4. On the fifth (5th) day after arrival, all visitors from “special status countries” must have a PCR Covid-19 test (the cost of the test is covered by the department of health done in government health facilities).
5. If the PCR test is negative, visitors will be free to continue with their planned holiday (the conditions listed under Visitors to Seychelles from countries on the list of permitted countries apply).
6. Visitors who test positive and are asymptomatic will be required to stay in tourism establishments specifically designated and authorised for such purpose.
7. Visitors who test positive and are symptomatic are required to be isolated in a medical facility until recovery.

Seychellois travellers and persons holding resident permit

1. All Seychellois and persons holding resident permit who have spent at least 14 days in a country on the list of permitted countries immediately prior to travel may enter Seychelles with a Health Travel Authorisation (https://seychelles.govtas.com/) and can stay in their own homes and are required to take certain measures for the 14 days after arrival. (See Guidance for Persons Arriving from Overseas Travel published by the department of health).
2. Seychellois and persons holding resident permit currently in a country not on the list of permitted countries may apply to enter Seychelles (https://seychelles.govtas.com/) and will be required to undergo facility-based quarantine for a 14-day period and Covid-19 PCR tests at their cost.
3. The following additional conditions will apply:
4. All travellers must have proof of a valid negative Covid-19 PCR test that is 72 hours or less prior to departure to Seychelles.
5. Travellers must present proof of valid negative test results when checking-in for their flight to Seychelles. Airlines will not accept travellers for travel to Seychelles without the test result.
6. Aircraft/Airline are not to board any travellers or crew who are symptomatic of Covid-19.
7. Exit screening must have been conducted by all incoming passengers.
8. Entry screening will be done upon arrival starting with completion of the health check form, symptomatic check and temperature scanning. The passenger may be required to undergo additional tests.
9. Seychellois and persons holding resident permit in Seychelles are strongly advised not to travel overseas until further notice. Any person who disregards this advise should note that re-entry into Seychelles will be subject to the conditions above. Where the travel itinerary will require that the person undergoes quarantine on return to Seychelles, the full cost of quarantine and testing must be paid prior to travel.
10. Where the Public Health Authority believes that a person may be at increased risk of infection during their travel, the person will be required to undergo facility-based quarantine and testing at their cost.
11. Persons travelling and subsequently requiring quarantine should note that the period of quarantine is subject to employment regulations with regard to annual or unpaid leave.

Entry by GOP holders and dependents

1. Permission to enter by GOP holders and dependents will first be cleared by Employment and Immigration. Conditions for their travel and entry will be similar to those of Seychellois as defined above.
2. Accommodation for the returning GOP holder must be approved by the Public Health Authority.

Entry by sea

1. Visitors may apply for entry by sea (application form is available on the department of health website and should be submitted to pha@health.gov.sc
2. Approval will be conditional on the assessment of risks at the ports visited in the past 30 days prior to application, and the vessel spending at least 21 days at sea from the last port of call before entry into Seychelles.
3. Disembarkation of any crew or passengers will be authorised after review of daily temperature recorded over the last 14 days prior to arrival and health clearance. The records should be submitted to Port Health office (newport@health.gov.sc) or (garry.course@health.gov.sc).

Source: Department of health Seychelles