The Seychelles are open for international tourists but have now added South Africa on a list of countries that are banned from entering. The Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism made this amendment to the initial announcement that the country will open its borders.
The Seychelles is a popular holiday destination to many South Africans.
‘Within immediate effect, Seychelles is ready to welcome all visitors irrespective of their vaccination status on the condition that they have a Covid-19 negative PCR test certificate that must be taken within 72 hours prior to travel,’ government said on May 31.
Days later, the statement was updated to say the following: ‘However, visitors who have been in South Africa, Brazil, India, Bangladesh Nepal and Pakistan within 14 days preceding arrival to Seychelles will, unfortunately, be restricted entry.’
Air Seychelles planned to resume its services between OR Tambo and the Seychelles, but have had to suspend the resumption. The airline will still reinstate its Johannesburg-Maldives route on June 11.
Chief commercial officer of Air Seychelles, Charles Johnson told Travel News that passengers who are in possession of booked tickets to the Seychelles in June, will have the option to change their destination to the Maldives at no additional charge.
The island destination was a popular holiday destination before COVID-19. In 2019, the contribution of travel and tourism to GDP was 65.8 %, reports Knoema.
