These guidelines are in force as of 1st August 2020 and will be reviewed periodically.
As of 1st August 2020
- Seychelles International Airport is open for scheduled commercial passenger flights.
Types of flights allowed:
- Private jets with passengers destined to authorized resorts, yachts or residential facilities
- Chartered passengers flights with passengers from permitted countries under conditions set by the Department of Health and Department of Tourism.
- Scheduled International Commercial Passenger flights.
- Cargo flights.
- Medical evacuation flights.
- Flights making technical stops.
- Special flights under agreements between Seychelles Government and other authorities.
Visitors to Seychelles:
- Visitors may be permitted from approved countries. The list of approved countries is posted on the Department of Tourism and Department of Health websites, and will be revised periodically. 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 passengers must submit to the Public Health Authority (submission form is available on Department of Tourism and Department of Health websites and should be submitted to visitor@health.gov.sc), proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test that is less than 72 hours prior to boarding the flight to Seychelles.
- Passengers 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.
- Aircraft/Airline are not to board any passengers or crew who are symptomatic of COVID-19.
- Any passengers who arrives in Seychelles without proof of negative COVID 19 PCR test, will be turned back on the same aircraft.
- Exit screening must have been completed by all incoming passengers and crew.
- Entry screening will be done upon arrival starting with completion of the health check form, symptomatic check, temperature scanning. The passenger may be required to undergo additional tests.
- All passengers 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 for the list of approved establishments and any additional advice.)
- From the month of August, visitors are permitted to stay in not more than 2 different approved establishments in the first 7 days.
- 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.
- All tourism establishments 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)
- Any illness must be reported immediately to the management of the establishment, who will provide appropriate guidance.
Seychellois Travellers and Persons holding Resident Permit
- All Seychellois and persons holding resident permit who have spent at least 14 days in a permitted country immediately prior to travel may enter Seychelles and can stay in their own homes under passive surveillance for up to 14 days after arrival. (See also Guide for residents entering Seychelles published by the Department of Health).
- Seychellois and persons holding resident permit currently in high risk countries may apply to enter Seychelles (application form is available on the Department of Health website and should be submitted to pha@health.gov.sc) and, if permitted to enter, will be required to undergo facility-based quarantine for a 14 day period and COVID-9 PCR tests at their cost.
- The following additional conditions will apply:
- All passengers must have proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test that is 72 hours or less prior to boarding the flight to Seychelles.
- Passengers 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.
- Aircraft/Airline are not to board any passengers or crew who are symptomatic of COVID-19.
- Exit screening must have been conducted by all incoming passengers.
- Entry screening will be done upon arrival starting with completion of the health check form, symptomatic check, temperature scanning. The passenger may be required to undergo additional tests.
- 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.
- 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.
- Persons travelling and subsequently requiring quarantine should note that the period of quarantine is subject to Employment regulations with regards to annual or unpaid leave.
Entry by GOP Holders and dependents
- 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.
- Accommodation for the returning GOP Holder must be approved by the Public Health Authority.
Entry by sea
- 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)
- 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.
- Disembarkation of any crew or passengers will be authorized after review of daily temperature and health checks recorded over the the last 14 days prior to arrival. The records should be submitted to Port Health office (newport@health.gov.sc or garry.course@health.gov.sc).
List of Countries from which visitors are permitted in Seychelles:
| Austria | Germany | Mauritius | Thailand |
| Belgium | Greece | Monaco | Tunisia |
| Canada | Hungary | Netherlands | UAE |
| China | Iceland | New Zealand | |
| Cuba | Ireland | Norway | |
| Cyprus | Italy | Slovakia | |
| Denmark | Latvia | Slovenia | |
| Estonia | Lithuania | South Korea | |
| Finland | Malaysia | Sri Lanka | |
| France | Malta | Switzerland | |
Emirates flight lands in Seychelles carrying first new tourist arrivals since March
One hundred and seventy passengers — both visitors and Seychellois — landed in Seychelles on Saturday onboard the first commercial passenger flight since the COVID-induced travel shutdown.
Emirates flight EK705 from Dubai touched down at 6.30 a.m., the first plane to arrive after Seychelles reopened its borders on Aug. 1.
The Seychelles International Airport was closed to commercial passenger flights in March amid travel restrictions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the 115-island nation in the western Indian Ocean.
Following safety protocols set up by the health authority and the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), passengers were asked to leave the plane in batches of 30 to undergo the usual procedures required at the immigration desks.
Furthermore, each passenger had their temperature checked and screened for any COVID-19 related symptoms.
Media personnel were not allowed to speak to passengers.
The tourism minister, Didier Dogley, told assembled reporters that the process was a bit slow as this was the first time these procedures are being implemented.
“We expected that to start off, things are going slow because this is the first time, but over the week people will be able to move a little bit faster. Most importantly, we want everything to be done correctly,” said Dogley.
He outlined that workers at the airport were all wearing masks, maintaining the advised social distance and practicing good hygiene.
“They do not have any fear that we were expecting them to have. They are taking their work seriously and have confidence in what they are doing and this is key for us. We are on the right track,” said Dogley.
He outlined that his ministry will be debriefed, probably on Monday, on how things went for each authority present for the reopening of the airport.
Aside from officers working with the passengers, a group of representatives from destination management companies, hotels and taxi drivers were also present to transfer their respective passengers to their respective accommodations.
A taxi driver, Barry Pillay, told SNA that he is proud and happy to be back at work.
“I hope that everything goes right and that everyone gets the chance to do their job. When it comes to wearing masks and practising good hygiene, we attended a seminar last Saturday which was very fruitful. I am more than ready to put everything I learnt there into practice,” said Pillay.
A second commercial passenger flight is expected to land in Seychelles at 6 p.m. Saturday as Air Seychelles returns from Mauritius.