Two Indian Ocean Islands destinations are the latest to scrap PCR tests.
Mauritius has dropped the requirement for visitors to take pre-travel PCR tests as a condition of entry to the country.
The move will undoubtedly drive more leisure and business tourism to the island state. It follows a post-pandemic trend emerging globally and in Southern Africa for the removal of COVID-19-related barriers to tourism, such as expensive PCR testing.
The removal of this type of pre-travel testing removes a lot of the expense of travel to a destination, making every country that has taken the leap a much more attractive and affordable proposition.
The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) says demand from tourists and business travellers has soared following the reopening of borders to international travel.
“Travellers are choosing Mauritius for its beaches, mountains, lagoons and business opportunities but also for its safety and security. As it stands, 90% of Mauritius’s adult population are fully vaccinated and our booster-dose campaign is in full swing,” said Arvind Bundhun, Director of MTPA.
He added that the Tourism Authority was delighted that the Ministry of Health and Wellness had reviewed the sanitary protocol for visitors to Mauritius. “Automatically this renders experience of travelling to Mauritius far easier and more streamlined. We expect a further boost to tourism numbers as demand for travel to Mauritius is currently ramping up.”
Seychelles
Seychelles has relaxed its entry regulations, with effect from March 15.
The requirement for pre-travel PCR tests for fully vaccinated visitors has been removed but it is worth noting that the definition of ‘fully vaccinated’ includes booster shots if more than six months have elapsed since the second jab in the primary series.
Seychelles Tourism says in an industry release that this “fundamental move” aims to make the archipelago more accessible and competitive as a destination.
Visitors over 18 years will be considered fully immunised if they have received the first two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine plus a booster dose six months after the completion of the primary series.
Visitors aged 12 years to 18 years will be considered fully immunised after the completion of the primary series.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated visitors must present a negative certificate from a PCR test taken within the 72 hours before departure, or from a rapid antigen test done in a certified laboratory within the 24 hours before departure.
Visitors who have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus two to 12 weeks prior to travel are also exempt from a pre-travel COVID-19 test upon provision of proof of infection and recovery.
“As a safe tourism experience remains essential, all visitors will still be required to have COVID-specific travel insurance in addition to their normal medical travel insurance cover and are encouraged to book their stay in a certified accommodation. Moreover, it is mandatory that all visitors apply for Travel Authorisation prior to travel,” says Seychelles Tourism.
The country has also recently eased some other restrictions, including the removal of the overnight curfew and an adjustment to the closing time for entertainment services such as bars and casinos.
