The Seychelles Tourism Board has reported that the country will reopen to tourists, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not, from March 25.
However, visitors from South Africa will remain barred from entry, with this decision set to be reviewed in the coming weeks.
Visitors will now only be required to present a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure. There will be no quarantine requirement or restriction on movement upon entry into the Seychelles. The minimum stay in establishments that was imposed will no longer be applicable.
Visitors will still be required to adhere to other public health measures in place including wearing of face masks, social distancing and regular sanitisation or washing of hands.
The new measures will also give visitors access to all communal areas at hotel premises inclusive of bars, swimming pools, spas and kid’s clubs.
The decision to relax the entry conditions appears to be based on the success of the Seychelles’ own vaccination campaign and a projection that all of its citizens will be vaccinated in the coming weeks. The destination will, however, continue to review the situation.
The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa. Mahé, a hub for visiting the other islands, is home to the capital, Victoria. It also has the mountain rainforests of Morne Seychellois National Park, and beaches including Beau Vallon and Anse Takamaka.