Health Alert: State of Emergency Extended for Santiago/Repatriation Flight Planning Still in Process

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Health Alert:  U.S. Embassy Praia, Cabo Verde (May 14, 2020)

Location:  Cabo Verde

Event:  State of Emergency Extended for Santiago/Repatriation Flight Planning Still in Process

On May 13, the Cabo Verdean government extended the State of Emergency for the island of Santiago.  As of May 11, limited inter-island movement via ferry was possible for some islands.  U.S. Embassy Praia is still working to coordinate a repatriation flight that will allow passengers from all nine islands to participate.  We do not have a confirmed date for a flight at this time, but will provide additional information as soon as it is available.

COVID-19 Cases in Cabo Verde

As of May 14, Cabo Verde had 315 confirmed COVID-19 cases (56 cases on Boa Vista, 256 on Santiago, and three on São Vicente) of which 244 were active.  Additional information is available at https://covid19.cv.

State of Emergency and Required Use of Facemasks

Cabo Verde’s State of Emergency has been extended through May 29 for Santiago.  The State of Emergency for Boa Vista will continue through May 14.  For the other islands – 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 coming in 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.

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.

Restrictions on 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.

Possible Repatriation Flight

U.S. Embassy Praia continues active planning for a charter repatriation flight to the United States once the Cabo Verdean government permits the inter-island travel necessary to allow U.S. citizens from all islands to take advantage of the flight.  The Embassy is still coordinating this flight, and there is no confirmed date at this time.

The Embassy’s repatriation plan currently includes a flight to Boston with multi-island pick-up stops in Cabo Verde – including on Sal, São Vicente, and Santiago – and the transfer of passengers from other islands by ferry to a flight pick-up location.  Due to the evolving public health situation across Cabo Verde, the dates and route of this potential flight have yet not been finalized, and planning is still subject to change.  We will provide updates as additional information becomes available.

Once the flight is confirmed, which is envisioned as the last repatriation operation to be undertaken by the U.S. government in Cabo Verde, seats would be made available to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), and potentially to other qualified travelers (e.g. third-country nationals and holders of a valid U.S. immigrant visa).  The cost of the one-way ticket for this flight would be approximately: Adult – $1604.25; Child – $1259.75; Infant – $151.85, with all passengers required to sign a DS-5528 promissory note to reimburse the U.S. government for the cost of the flight.

While we do not yet have an exact date for this repatriation operation, the Embassy continues to collect all the necessary paperwork for potential passengers.  Therefore, if you are interested in being included on this potential flight, please complete and submit this secure form.  (NOTE:  If you have already submitted this information using the secure form, you DO NOT need to do so again.)  Interested parties should also verify that their travel documents have not expired, and remain current and valid for travel.

In order to be considered for this flight, we must also have your DS-5528 and a copy of your passport (and LPR card, if applicable) on file in advance.  All passengers must sign a promissory note (form DS-5528) before boarding this flight, and you should complete the DS-5528 form online as soon as possible.  We will have hard copies of these forms printed and ready for signature at the airport in Praia.  Please also email us a copy (scanned or photograph) of your U.S. or Cabo Verde passport, and LPR “green” card, if applicable, to PraiaRepatriation@state.gov as soon as possible.

Please do not call the Embassy to confirm receipt of your information; we will contact you with additional details if this flight is confirmed.  If you have already received confirmation that you are on the list, you DO NOT need to send an email to reconfirm.  Also, interested parties 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.

Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, U.S. Embassy Praia has organized eight charter repatriation flights, enabling more than 400 U.S. citizens and others to return safely to the United States.  Please be aware, however, that these repatriation efforts are now winding down.  The U.S. Embassy urges all U.S. citizens who are unsure about wanting to go home to err towards returning NOW.  Otherwise, they need to be prepared to shelter-in-place for an indefinite period of time, even should the local situation take a turn for the worse.

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.

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By | 14 May, 2020 | Categories: Alert, Messages for U.S. Citizens, U.S. Citizen Services

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