STB said that "the initial reports alleging Seychelles
was giving out inaccurate test results appeared in the Israeli press and social
media after some of their nationals tested positive upon their exit from the
holiday destination."
The STB's chief executive, Sherin Francis, said it would
serve no purpose for Seychelles to interfere with the COVID tests as this would
increase the nation's statistics and reflect negatively on the destination.
"After months of struggling to restart our tourism
industry, Seychelles is committed to ensuring that all our guests spend a
memorable time on our islands and leave happy at the end of their stay. It
would be counterproductive to do otherwise," she said.
Francis added that, however, Seychelles cannot allow a guest
to exit the country if tested positive, in compliance with Seychelles' and
international health and sanitary measures.
"Every guest testing positive during their stay has to
quarantine for 10 days before being allowed to return home. This is the norm
being observed everywhere. We are asking all our guests who find themselves in
such a predicament to follow the quarantine guidelines," she explained.
Francis stressed that Seychelles is still safe to visit and
that such reports should not deter potential clients from visiting the island
destination.
This was echoed by the Minister for Foreign and Affairs and
Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, who also confirmed that Seychelles is dedicated
to following all safety measures and protocols in place to safeguard both its
visitors and the local population.
"No country in the world can claim to be COVID-free.
The government and all industry partners are dedicated to ensuring that
Seychelles remains safe for all guests and that they keep the best memories of
their Seychelles' holiday. It is not in the interest of Seychelles, our
partners, or our guests to do otherwise, knowing how our economy is heavily
reliant on tourism," Radegonde said.
He added that the island nation "is investing a lot of
effort and funds in making sure that the experience of the guests remains
undisturbed. Nonetheless, this can only be achieved if the visitors also
practice the safety and health measures in place."
Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean,
reopened its borders to visitors from all countries except directly from South
Africa on March 25th. The country's travel advisory was amended end of last
month to include Brazil and India in view of the increase in cases in the two
countries.
Tourism which is the top contributor to the country's
economy has been badly affected by the downturn in travel caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic.
The island nation currently leads the world chart with the
highest vaccinations administered, over 62 percent of all adults have received
the two doses of the Sinopharm and Covishield vaccines.
However, the country re-introduced certain measures such as
delaying the commencement of the new school term, early closure of shops, bars
and casinos, limiting gatherings on beaches to groups of four after a surge in
cases in the community, which has been attributed to people letting down their
guard over the Easter weekend.
Meanwhile, tourists visiting Seychelles and requiring a
negative PCR test upon exiting the country currently have the option of using
the Ministry of Health or private testing facilities.
To assist with the PCR test, earlier this week, a new
private laboratory opened its door, with the biggest testing capacity in the
Indian Ocean and which can guarantee the results under 24 hrs.
Two other private clinics have also been offering
COVID-related tests with results within 24hrs. Visitors are being encouraged to
make use of these private services.
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