Alert: State of Calamity Extended on Fogo, Santiago Reduced to a State of Contingency But Restrictions Remain

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“State of Calamity” Extended on Fogo

The Government of Cabo Verde has extended the “State of Calamity” designation for the island of Fogo through January 14.  The designation for Santiago changed to “State of Contingency,” which continues to apply to all other islands, but most restrictions remain in place.

Mandatory Face Covering 

Effective November 5, all individuals are required to wear a face covering in public spaces including on sidewalks and roadways when around people who are not members of the same household.  Children under the age of ten and individuals with health conditions that prevent them from wearing a face covering are exempt from the requirement.  Individuals who are exercising and able to social distance themselves are also exempt from the requirement.  Anyone in violation of the law may be subject to a fine up to 15,000 CVE (approximately $158).  U.S. citizens in Cabo Verde are reminded that all Cabo Verdean laws and regulations apply to them.

International Travel 

Effective December 15, the Government of Cabo Verde has authorized the use of antigen tests (Ag-RDT) to detect COVID-19 prior to travel.  Travelers entering Cabo Verde must present results of a negative COVID-19 PCR-RT test or an antigen test (Ag-RDT, commonly known as a “rapid test”) administered no more than 72 hours prior to flight departure to gain entry to Cabo Verde.  Children under age seven are exempt from presenting test results to gain entry to Cabo Verde.  Please contact your airline or ship operator directly to confirm details regarding COVID-19 testing documentation requirements as well as requirements for any other stopover on your journey.  PCR test results are still required to transit Lisbon and the Azores.

Upon arrival in Cabo Verde, each traveler will have their temperature checked and must submit a completed health questionnaire.  Anyone displaying symptoms such as fever may be put in isolation and subjected to a COVID-19 test on arrival.

Inter-island Travel

Passengers departing from the islands of Fogo or São Vicente must show a COVID-19 rapid test result taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure.  Test results must also be shown for passengers from Santiago or Santo Antão traveling to São Nicolãu, Sal, Boa Vista, Maio, or Brava.  No test results are needed for those traveling from São Nicolãu, Sal, Boa Vista, Maio, or Brava; between São Vicente and Santo Antão; or for passengers under the age of seven.  All passengers are required to fill out a Health Surveillance Survey prior to departure.

For available flights, please visit https://www.ticv.cv.  For the latest ferry schedule, please visit https://www.cvinterilhas.cv/routesschedules.

COVID-19 Testing 

U.S. citizens requiring a COVID-19 PCR-RT test for international travel departing Cabo Verde should contact their nearest health delegation.  The cost for the PCR-RT test is 11,000 CVE (approximately $115).

U.S. citizens requiring a rapid test (Ag-RDT) for international or inter-island travel should contact their nearest health delegation or a private lab.  The cost for a rapid test is generally less than 2,000 CVE (approximately $20).

COVID-19 Cases in Cabo Verde 

As of December 17, Cabo Verde had a total of 253 known active COVID-19 cases.  The active cases are on Fogo (110), Santiago (48), São Vicente (52),  Santo Antão (39), Maio (3), and Boa Vista (1).  Sal, Brava, and Sao Nicolãu had no known active cases.  Additional information is available at https://covid19.cv.

STEP and Resumption of Limited Consular Services 

The U.S. Department of State updated the Travel Advisory for Cabo Verde on August 17 to Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”).  Travelers are encouraged to read the entire Advisory, which includes updated information on COVID-19 related conditions.

Announcements with new health and travel information for U.S. citizens and LPRs overseas are shared via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which is the Embassy’s primary means for communicating this information to American citizens, as well as on the Embassy’s internet site and Facebook page.  We urge any U.S. citizen or LPR seeking assistance to enroll in STEP as soon as possible, or ensure that their current enrollment remains up to date, so that they have immediate access to the latest information.

Effective December 1, the U.S. Embassy in Praia resumed all American Citizen Services including all passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBAs), and notarial services.  To request an appointment, please use the Embassy’s on-line appointment system.  To ensure adequate social distancing for both staff and customers, the Embassy is operating with reduced on-site staffing, so there may be a longer than usual wait for an appointment.  If correct and complete documents are presented at the appointment, it will take approximately 4-6 weeks from the date of the appointment to receive a U.S. passport.   You can review the requirements and fees for passports, CRBAs, and notarials on our website.

Additionally, Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) whose LPR card (“green card”) is lost or stolen may apply for a boarding foil.  LPRs who have remained outside of the United States for more than one year may also apply for an SB-1 visa.  To make an appointment for either service, please emailPraiaConsular@state.gov.

The U.S. Embassy has resumed non-immigrant visa cases for travelers with urgent travel needs for humanitarian or business reasons; crewmembers (C1-D); students (F-1, M-1, and certain J-1); and work visas (L-1 and H1-B).  To request an expedited appointment, please email PraiaConsular@state.gov.

In addition, the U.S. Embassy has resumed processing some immigrant visa cases, including for applicants with expired immigrant visas and will begin to reschedule individuals whose appointments were canceled in March and April.  While everyone with an expired immigrant visa or cancelled appointment will eventually be rescheduled, initial appointments will be offered only to those who are eligible to travel to the United States under the current Presidential Proclamations.  More information about the COVID-19 related travel restrictions and Presidential Proclamations is available on our Frequently Asked Questions page.   The U.S. Embassy will contact eligible applicants directly regarding their appointment and processing requirements. 

Note:  This information will continue to be sent regularly for the benefit of new registrants in STEP.  Should you wish to stop receiving these updates, please send an email to PraiaConsular@state.gov requesting to be removed from STEP enrollment.

Actions to Take:

 

Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Praia
RuaAbilio Macedo 6
Praia, Cabo Verde
Phone:  (+238) 260-8900
PraiaConsular@state.gov
https://cv.usembassy.gov/
State Department – Consular Affairs
1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444
Cabo Verde Country Information
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By | 18 December, 2020 | Categories: Alert

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