COVID-19 pandemic in Seychelles

Seychelles reported its first two cases of COVID-19 on 14 March 2020. The two cases were people who were in contact with someone in Italy who tested positive.[5]

On 15 March, a third case arriving from the Netherlands was confirmed.[6]

As of 16 March, there are four confirmed cases. The new case also arriving from Netherlands.[7]

On 6 April, there are 11 confirmed cases, and two patients have been released.[8]

In May 2020, the Seychelles government declared the country free of COVID-19.[9]

On 9 March 2020, Seychelles ahead of the planned arrival of the Norwegian Spirit announced a temporary closing for cruise ships.[10]

On 9 March 2020, Seychelles banned any person from Seychelles from travelling to China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran. An exception is made for returning residents.[10]

A 26-year-old man, working at Seychelles International Airport, tested positive for coronavirus on Monday, April 6, bringing the country's total number of infections to 11, Following the detection of this infection, a travel ban order came into effect at midnight on Wednesday April 8 in Seychelles, except for essential service workers. This measure will be maintained for 21 days.[11]

In March, the Seychelles International Airport was closed.[12]

Following the lockdown on 9 April 2020, the National Museum in Seychelles is preparing to reopen to the public on 1 June 2020. In doing so, Seychelles will be the first country in the Eastern Africa Region to reopen its museum during the pandemic.[13]

For business to resume to normalcy, certain guidelines have been put in place by the Seychelles Department of Health which will ultimately protect the Museum employees as well as visitors that visit Museums from contracting the coronavirus.[13] Among the measures being instituted are tips for preparing for the arrival of the public, adapting the flow of visitors, strengthening health measures, restricting some access if necessary, as well as measures for reception and security staff, cleaning and conservation measures, and guidance for office staff.[13]

On 28 April 2020, President Danny Faure announced a lifting of some of the measures that were earlier on put in place to forestall further spread of the pandemic . All restrictions on the movement of people were lifted on 4 May. All shops were allowed to open until 20:00 from 4 May 2020. The first schools re-opened on 11 May and on 18 May 2020, all schools will re-opened. Travel restrictions ended on 1 June 2020 when the airport reopened.[14]

Air Seychelles resumed domestic flights on May 4, and SEI reopened to international traffic on June 1.[15]

On 9 May, the government extended the ban on cruise ships from entering Port Victoria until the end of 2021.[16] People arriving by yacht must spend 14 days quarantined at sea, and people arriving by charter flight or private jet must demonstrate a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of departure.[9]