As of January 20, Cabo Verde had a total of 698 known active COVID-19 cases. The active cases are on Santiago (262), São Vicente (303), Santo Antão (68), Fogo (37), Maio (24), Sal (2), and Boa Vista (2). Brava and Sao Nicolãu had no known active cases. Additional information is available at https://covid19.cv.
State of Calamity Declared in São Vicente
On January 19, the Government of Cabo Verde declared a “State of Calamity” for the island of São Vicente. All other islands remain under a “State of Contingency.” These designations place certain restrictions on businesses and public gatherings, including time restrictions on restaurant and bar operations. The November 5 mandate for face coverings in public spaces remains in effect. Exceptions include children under the age of ten and individuals with health conditions that prevent them from wearing a face covering. Anyone in violation of the law may be subject to a fine up to 15,000 CVE (approximately $158). U.S. citizens in Cabo Verde are reminded that all Cabo Verdean laws and regulations apply to them.
Negative COVID-19 Tests Required to Enter the United States
Effective January 26, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR-RT test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the United States may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel. Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.
International Travel
The Government of Cabo Verde has authorized the use of antigen tests (Ag-RDT) to detect COVID-19 prior to travel to Cabo Verde. Travelers entering Cabo Verde must present results of a negative COVID-19 PCR-RT test or an antigen test (Ag-RDT, commonly known as a “rapid test”) administered no more than 72 hours prior to flight departure to gain entry to Cabo Verde. Children under age seven are exempt from presenting test results to gain entry to Cabo Verde. Please contact your airline or ship operator directly to confirm details regarding COVID-19 testing documentation requirements as well as requirements for any other stopover on your journey. PCR test results are still required to transit Lisbon and the Azores.
Upon arrival in Cabo Verde, each traveler will have their temperature checked and must submit a completed health questionnaire. Anyone displaying symptoms such as fever may be put in isolation and subjected to a COVID-19 test on arrival.
Inter-island Travel
Islands with a COVID-19 infection rate below 20 per 100,000 inhabitants are considered “green;” passengers from those islands do not need COVID-19 tests for inter-island travel. As of January 19, tests are not required for those traveling from São Nicolãu, Sal, Boa Vista, and Brava or for passengers under the age of seven. Passengers traveling from Santiago, Fogo, Maio, São Vicente, or Santo Antão to any of the “green” islandsmust show a negative COVID-19 rapid test result taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure. Testing requirements are subject to change. All inter-island travelers are required to fill out a Health Surveillance Survey prior to departure.
For available flights, please visit https://www.ticv.cv. For the latest ferry schedule, please visit https://www.cvinterilhas.cv/routesschedules.
COVID-19 Testing
U.S. citizens requiring a COVID-19 PCR-RT test for international travel departing Cabo Verde should contact their nearest health delegation. The cost for the PCR-RT test is 6,500 CVE (approximately $72).
U.S. citizens requiring a rapid test (Ag-RDT) for international or inter-island travel should contact their nearest health delegation or a private lab. The cost for a rapid test is generally less than 2,000 CVE (approximately $22).
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.
- Review our Frequently Asked Questions website for information on current travel restrictions and the phased resumption of routine consular services.
- 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.
- 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
RuaAbilio 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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