COVID-19 Cases Continue to Increase/TAP Humanitarian Flight July 31

Location: Cabo Verde

Event: COVID-19 Cases Continue to Increase/TAP Humanitarian Flight July 31

As of July 23, there were 998 active COVID-19 cases in Cabo Verde.  Cabo Verde remains under a “State of Calamity” and social distancing measures remain in place for all of Cabo Verde.  TAP will be operating a humanitarian flight on July 31.  Please contact the airline directly to make a reservation.

International Flights

The Government of Cabo Verde announced in June that international commercial flights will not resume before some time in August.  TAP is operating its next humanitarian flight from Praia on July 31, 2020.  Please contact the airline directly to book a reservation and confirm details regarding COVID-19 testing requirements.

The government has not yet finalized its policy on requiring testing and mandatory quarantine measures for international travelers arriving by air.

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.

Inter-island Travel

As of July 15, inter-island passenger flights and maritime transportation resumed between all islands.  For available flights, please visit https://www.ticv.cv.  For the latest ferry schedule, please visit https://www.cvinterilhas.cv/routesschedules.

Passengers traveling from the islands of Sal or Santiago are required to undergo a rapid COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to flight departure and present a declaration showing a negative test result at the time of check-in.  All passengers are also required to fill out a Health Surveillance Survey prior to departure.

Increased travel between islands may lead to increased cases.  The government has established health cordons in some places to help isolate cases when that is feasible.

Required Use of Face Coverings and Availability of Supplies

Cabo Verde remains under a “State of Calamity” designation with certain restrictions on businesses and public areas, 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 July 23, Cabo Verde had 2,154 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including on Boa Vista (57), Sal (433), Santiago (1,608), Santo Antão (4), Sao Nicolau (37), São Vicente (13), and Maio (2) of which 998 were active.  Only the islands of Fogo and Brava have not recorded a confirmed case.  Additional information is available at https://covid19.cv.

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: 

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
Cabo Verde Country Information
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