Location: Cabo Verde
Event: New COVID-19 Infections Continue to Increase, First Cases on Santo Antão
Cabo Verde remains under a “State of Calamity” and social distancing measures remain in place for all of Cabo Verde. Inter-island maritime transportation and flights are anticipated to resume for all islands on June 30. Increased travel between islands may lead to infections in municipalities that had previously been spared. The government has established health cordons in some places to help isolate cases when that is feasible. Media reports have indicated international commercial flights will resume sometime in July; however, the government has not announced officially when such flights will be allowed. Please monitor local news for updates on when commercial flights will resume. The U.S. Embassy in Praia does not anticipate organizing another repatriation flight to the United States. U.S. citizens remaining in Cabo Verde should be prepared to shelter in place for an indefinite period of time.
State of Emergency and Required Use of Face Coverings
Cabo Verde’s State of Emergency ended May 29 for Santiago; however, certain restrictions on businesses and public areas remain in effect nationwide under the “State of Calamity” designation, including restrictions on beach access and restaurant operations. Additionally, under Cabo Verdean law, all individuals outside their home are required to wear a face covering. U.S. citizens are reminded that all Cabo Verdean laws and regulations apply to them, and they could be arrested or fined for failure to abide accordingly.
Food and supplies are being delivered to all islands, and DHL continues to facilitate international shipping. Please visit local pharmacies to refill necessary medications and arrange shipment of any required items from the United States.
COVID-19 Cases in Cabo Verde
As of June 11, Cabo Verde had 657 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including on Boa Vista (57), Sal (24), Santiago (563), Santo Antão (3), and São Vicente (10), of which 284 were active. Additional information is available at https://covid19.cv.
Inter-island Travel
As of June 1, passenger maritime transportation resumed between Boa Vista and other islands. The government has announced that maritime transportation will resume between Santiago and other islands effective June 30. For the latest ferry schedule, please visit https://www.cvinterilhas.cv/routesschedules. The government has also announced that inter-island flights servicing all islands will resume June 30.
STEP and Emergency Consular Services
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 March 19, 2020, U.S. Embassy Praia has suspended routine consular services. For emergency American Citizen Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information, or contact us at PraiaConsular@state.gov.
The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Global COVID-19 Outbreak Notice (“Avoid Nonessential Travel – Widespread Ongoing Transmission”).
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:
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive updates from the Embassy.
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- Consider What the U.S. Government Can and Can’t Do for Citizens in a Crisis.
- View President Trump’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airline, cruise line, or travel operator regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Cabo Verde.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Praia
Rua Abilio 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
