Location: Cabo Verde
Event: End of State of Emergency/Confirmed COVID-19 Cases on Sal
The State of Emergency ended for Santiago on May 29; however, social distancing measures remain in place for all of Cabo Verde. As of June 3, there are four confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Sal.
As of June 1, maritime passenger transportation resumed for Boa Vista. Inter-island maritime transportation and flights are anticipated to resume for all islands on June 30. Media reports have indicated commercial international flights will resume sometime in July; however, the government has not announced officially when international 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. Remaining U.S. citizens should be prepared to shelter in place for an indefinite period of time.
State of Emergency and Required Use of Facemasks
Cabo Verde’s State of Emergency ended May 29 for Santiago. However, certain restrictions on businesses and public areas remain in effect 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 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 June 3, Cabo Verde had 477 confirmed COVID-19 cases (56 cases on Boa Vista, 413 on Santiago, four on São Vicente, and four on Sal), of which 232 were active. Since May 21, there have been no active cases on Boa Vista. These are the first cases confirmed on Sal. 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 announced that maritime transportation would resume between Santiago and other islands effective June 30. For the available schedule, please visit https://www.cvinterilhas.cv/routesschedules. The government announced that inter-island flights would resume June 30 between all islands.
Restrictions on Commercial Air Travel
On March 18, the Government of Cabo Verde suspended international travel into/out of the country. Media reports indicate commercial international flights will resume sometime in July, although the Cabo Verdean government has not announced when it will allow international commercial air travel to resume.
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
