Gainful occupation permits that have expired can now be extended for up to three months to allow for ample time for repatriation arrangements and reopening of the airspace.

With over 5,700 gainful occupation permits (GOPs) set to expire before the end of the year, the Ministry of Employment, Immigration and Civil Status has put in place a special framework to address related issues caused by the pandemic.

President Faure chairs first review meeting

A first review meeting in preparation to re-open Seychelles to commercial flights on August 1 was held yesterday, bringing together stakeholders across all sectors in government and the private sector.

The high level committee for the integrated management system for the re-opening of Seychelles to commercial flights is chaired by President Danny Faure.

In preparation for the reopening of the Seychelles International Airport for commercial flights on August 1, the tourism department has worked on a Seychelles Visitor Travel Advisory.

It provides guidance to visitors from the booking stage, disembarkation, transfers, stay in accommodation and emergency procedures in the event of symptoms which could be related to COVID-19.

The Seychelles International Airport will re-open on August 1 and will only accept commercial flights from 37 countries that have been deemed low and medium risk in relation to the COVID-19 infection.

To give more details on the precautions and process that visitors will go through once they arrive in the country, the principal secretary for tourism Anne Lafortune held a press conference yesterday afternoon at the Botanical House where she also discussed the many safety measures that the tourism department in collaboration with the health department have put in place.

“Only visitors from low and medium risk countries will be able to visit Seychelles and all of them must have a travel insurance that will cover all their medical costs,” said PS Lafortune.