Yep, that’s right – the Seychelles is swinging its breezy, gorgeous ocean front doors open, welcoming tourists back from all over the world. Some, right away.
Destinations which thrive on outdoor activity and provide natural social distancing — hello, remote beaches and luxury resorts — have proven throughout the pandemic that travel can still be fun, still be safe and also still absolutely worth it. The Seychelles is throwing its name in the ring, and the details are remarkably straight forward…
Seychelles Plans For Travel
The Seychelles is embracing travelers with open arms, provided they’ve had the covid-19 vaccine, and it’s been at least two weeks since the second dose.
If that’s not you, fear not – your permission to enter should come soon enough. The Seychelles has a phased plan, which should see widespread travel, vaccination or not, by spring for travelers from all countries.
With immediate effect all visitors from any part of the world who have been vaccinated and are able to show proof that they have taken the complete dose of the vaccine (the two doses) and that two weeks have elapsed after the second dose will be allowed to enter Seychelles. However, they must provide an authentic certificate of vaccination and must also have a negative PCR test taken less than 72 hours prior to travel. They will also be allowed free movement throughout their stay in Seychelles.
Seychelles Government
Currently, you need to be vaccinated, or from a “Category 1, or Category 2” country, which include a variety of European countries, the UAE, Israel, Egypt and most Asia and Pacific countries to enter the Seychelles.
According to a declaration from the Seychelles Government, that’ll change come mid-March, when most of the population is expected to be vaccinated.
Once the majority of the adult population in Seychelles have been vaccinated, Seychelles will be open to all visitors from any part of the world whether they have been vaccinated or not. However they must still have a negative PCR test taken less than 72 hours prior to travel.
Seychelles Government
From then, all travelers with a negative test will be able to enter. The strategy makes sense: secure the health of locals, and then those entering with a negative test should present little risk to the community. Plus, it’s all outdoor heaven anyway.
The Seychelles has a variety of other worldly hotels, but few more exciting than the new Hilton LXR ‘Mango House’ Hotel, set to open from July 2021. As one of the world’s most remote and luxurious destinations, it’s always worth the trip.
For now the Seychelles requires all non-vaccinated visitors staying fewer than 8 nights to stay at their resort for the duration, and for those staying more than 8 nights to stay at least 10 nights in their resort, with a covid-19 test on the 6th day. Like the rest, that may change soon enough, but for most travelers, the resort is more than enough.
For UK based travelers, it may be difficult to avoid the temptation of Qatar Airways Qsuites from Heathrow to the Seychelles for £1400 round trip in autumn and winter of this year, during the current sale. For everyone else, it’s as good a time’ as any to rack up miles for future travels, or keep saving for revenge travel, to make up for all the lost trips!
