Seychelles, archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa has population near one lakh.
The country declared the reopening of borders for tourists in March to boost its economy which is heavily reliant on the tourism. The nation started an aggressive incoulation drive to vaccinate its population of nearly 1,00,000 and soon became the world’s most vaccinated nation.
Seychelles has vaccinated over 60 per cent of its population against the novel virus, as per a report by BBC.
Despite vaccinating majority of its population, Seychelles has been recording a huge surge in spread of COVID-19 cases. Recently, the nation decided to close schools and suspended sporting activities for two weeks.
Seychelles started inoculating its population against COVID-19 using a donation of China's Sinopharm vaccines from the United Arab Emirates. Later, it used the Covishield, a version of AstraZeneca’s jab manufactured Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune.
As per the latest data available, more than 60 per cent of island's population has been fully vaccinated and around 70 per cent has been administered at least one dose of the vaccine. The percentage of the fully vaccinated population is more than other vaccine countries such as the UK and Israel.
According to a Washington Post report, the surge in new cases may confirm that the COVID- 19 vaccines being used in the nation “have comparatively low effectiveness.”
In spite of these vaccination figures, Seychelles this week reported the highest number of cases per capita, worse than a country like India. According to Our World in Data, the latest rolling 7-day average for daily new cases per capita in Seychelles is more than twice India’s.
Travelling Seychelles?
According to he US Department of State has listed the country under a 'Level 4: Do Not Travel' warning.
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Seychelles due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country,” the State Department’s website says.
The authorities has enforced restrictions for inbound travellers. Anyone wishing to enter Seychelles must provide proof of a negative PCR test result received no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. Visitors do not have to be vaccinated, but they must fill out a health authorisation form and provide proof of travel insurance.
Travellers can stay in any certified hotel, and there are no minimum stay or quarantine requirements for visitors unless symptoms are witnessed. Anyone taking a trip to Seychelles will also need to follow all SOPs, such as mask-wearing and social distancing.
