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Seychelles authorities take steps to address the new COVID-19 variant

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Following this week’s Safe Tourism Task Force meeting led by the Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, the Public Health Authority has proposed new measures for the destination.

As of Monday, December 28, 2020, the United Kingdom will no longer feature on the list of countries from which visitors may travel to Seychelles. 

As of December 31, 2020, South Africa will not feature on the list of countries permitted into the country.

Between Wednesday, December 23, 2020, to Thursday, December 31, 2020, all visitors arriving from South Africa will not be permitted to stay in their private residences. Visitors will have to book a Category 2 establishment for at least 10 days before being tested, and if negative, they may complete the remaining 4 days at their private residence or a Category 1 establishment.

These decisions follow recent developments, whereby the UK and South Africa are being affected by a new variant of COVID-19. 

The measures will be effective until the end of January 2021 and will be subject to review before then.

Updates on travel measures and procedures to the destination can be viewed on the websites of the Tourism Department http://tourism.gov.sc/ and Department of Health http://www.health.gov.sc/ as well as Seychelles Travel Advisory page https://advisory.seychelles.travel/ .

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MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel 

New Seychelles Minister for Tourism takes Office

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The Seychelles Islands welcomes its new Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Ambassador Sylvestre Radegonde.

Appointed by President of the Republic Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan early this month, the new minister was sworn-in his position on Monday, November 16, 2020, at State House. Minister Radegonde thereafter headed to his new offices at Maison Queau de Quincy at Mont- Fleuri.

Minister Radegonde has a history in the tourism sector, serving as the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board from March 2005 to February 2006.  

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism called on staff at the Seychelles Tourism Board Headquarters and Department of Tourism at Botanical House for a familiarization visit, allowing him to briefly interact with the various staff present.

Commenting on his visit, the Tourism Minister stated his satisfaction to have an opportunity to be part of this important industry for Seychelles.

Speaking in regards to his new appointment, Minister Radegonde said that Diplomacy also encompasses the promotion of the destination and that during this pandemic it is essential to join resources, emphasizing this by stating that the Embassies and STB should work together whenever possible.

He further elaborated that the promotion of Seychelles will be a priority of the Embassies.

Additionally, he made note that the 3 institutions; STB, Foreign Affairs and Department of Tourism; possess a competent, driven workforce which his ministry aims to continuously motivate and support during this difficult climate.

The Minister will be meeting with the individual institutions; STB, Foreign Affairs and Department of Tourism; in staff meetings during the week to share and discuss his vision.

Before he was appointed Minister, Hon. Radegonde was based in Paris for the past 3 years, where he formerly served as Seychelles appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France.

Minister Radegonde holds a Masters in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Westminster and has an extensive background in International Relations, Political Affairs and Diplomacy.

Minister Radegonde is married and has three sons.

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MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel 

Newly-appointed Seychelles Tourism Minister Meets Taskforce Representatives

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The newly-appointed Seychelles Tourism Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, joined his first task Tourism Task Force meeting remotely from the Beau Vallon Bay Hotel quarantine center this Friday, November 6, 2020.

The Tourism taskforce committee composed of relevant public and private sector representatives is mandated to oversee all issues relating to the re-opening of the destination during this period dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing the meeting, Mr. Radegonde thanked all the participants for their immense contribution to the restart of the tourism industry and his full support to the work of the committee emphasizing the continuous need to balance public health safety considerations with that of getting our tourism industry back on track.

“I have been impressed by the work done by this committee so far. The assignment is not an easy one. It is balancing between economy and health. I very much look forward to bringing my contribution to ensure that Seychelles tourism emerges more sustainably from this pandemic. We need to bring confidence back. Let us embrace innovation and act decisively,” said the appointed minister.
During the meeting, committee members provided an update on the ongoing matters related to the decisions taken by the task force to date.

The appointed minister was briefed on the functioning of the classification of countries, PCR testing protocols, the progress on the setting up of the support assistance for the Seychelles Health Travel Authorization software locally amongst other working points. 

The Tourism Task Force was previously chaired by the former minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr. Didier Dogley

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MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel