(TAN): Responding to the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases and the second wave in certain regions around the world, Seychelles is re-enforcing measures to curb probabilities of local infection on its shores.
The review has been done by the tourism task force, a committee regrouping tourism stakeholders, health decision-makers and various other local agencies to oversee all issues relating to the re-opening of the destination during this period dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
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The first change to the measures relates to the Covid-19 PCR test to be done while in the country. The timing of the test has been reviewed by the Public Health Authority (PHA) and specifies that all visitors coming into Seychelles, will take a PCR test after the fifth night, meaning thereby the testing will be conducted on the sixth day after the arrival of the visitor.
Previously, only visitors from the Category 2 countries were required to take a PCR test whilst in the country. Now, these new measures apply to all visitors.
Visitors and hotel partners are also being advised that unless informed otherwise after 24 hours of the sample being taken, the visitor should consider the result as negative. Visitors from Category 2 countries may then follow Category 1 requirements, which include changing hotels and able to proceed with their planned holidays whilst observing strict health protocols throughout.
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Relating to the sixth-day testing and protocols to be adopted in case of an asymptomatic case detected, the PHA has advised that if the client is staying in a Category 2 establishment, he or she could be allowed to remain in isolation within the establishment. It is imperative that the person does not have contact with other visitors staying at the same property as well as have limited and controlled contact with hotel personnel while being monitored daily.
In actual practice, when or if a visitor is found to be a positive case of Covid-19, the health team will be on-site to guide the management on measures to be applied. Seychelles has been welcoming visitors since June from private flights and charters but reopened borders to commercial fights on August 1.
