Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Praia, Cabo Verde (May 28, 2020)
Location: Cabo Verde
Event: May 29 Repatriation Flight Fully Booked
The repatriation flight to Boston, now scheduled for Friday, May 29, is fully booked. Individuals confirmed on the flight have been notified by email. Only passengers with a confirmation email should go to the airport and will be allowed entry to the facility.
No further requests to travel on this flight can be considered at this time. Those still wishing to travel to the United States should monitor local news for updates regarding resumption of international commercial flights.
U.S. Embassy Praia does not currently anticipate being able to organize further repatriation flights. U.S. citizens remaining in Cabo Verde should be prepared to shelter-in-place for an indefinite period of time, even should the local situation take a turn for the worse.
Confirmation of Flight Arrangements
All confirmed passengers were sent an email with a reservation number to bring to the airport, along with their valid travel documents, to board the flight. If you have any questions about your reservation, please email PraiaRepatriation@state.gov. Individuals should refrain from appearing in person at the Embassy, which is closed to the public in compliance with regulations under the current State of Emergency.
State of Emergency and Required Use of Facemasks
Cabo Verde’s State of Emergency has been extended through May 29 for Santiago. For the other islands – Boa Vista, São Vicente, Santo Antão, São Nicolau, Sal, Maio, Fogo, and Brava – certain restrictions on businesses and public areas remain in effect under the “State of Calamity” designation. Additionally, under Cabo Verdean law, all individuals outside their home are required to wear a facemask. 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.
During this period of shelter-in-place, food and supplies are still 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 May 26, Cabo Verde had 390 confirmed COVID-19 cases (56 cases on Boa Vista, 331 on Santiago, and three on São Vicente), of which 229 were active. Additional information is available at https://covid19.cv.
Restrictions on Commercial Air Travel
On March 28, the Government of Cabo Verde implemented a national State of Emergency, including the suspension of international travel into/out of the country, and severe restrictions on all air and maritime inter-island connections. Cabo Verde Airlines has announced that all of its commercial flight operations are suspended until July 1, 2020, while SATA Airlines has stated that its flights between Praia and Boston are suspended until June 14, 2020. Although airlines are advertising and selling tickets, the Cabo Verdean government has not announced when it will allow international commercial air travel to resume.
Inter-island Travel
As of May 11, limited passenger maritime transportation resumed between some islands. For the available schedule, please visit https://www.cvinterilhas.cv/routesschedules. There are currently no commercial inter-island flights operating.
STEP and Emergency Consular Services
Announcements regarding repatriations are shared as soon as they are available 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 return to the United States 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 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 - Cabo Verde Country Information
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
