Seychelles Requires 21 Days Outside DRC Before Entry Over Ebola

Seychelles has reinforced entry requirements for travellers who have recently visited the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), requiring foreign nationals to spend at least 21 days outside that country before travelling to the islands. The Ministry for Tourism and Culture announced the measures on 19 October 2026, pointing to an expanding Ebola outbreak in the DRC. The announcement concerns preventing the importation of Ebola and does not report an outbreak within Seychelles.

Key facts

• Foreign nationals who have recently been in the DRC must spend at least 21 days outside the country before entering Seychelles.
• The rules are based on recent travel history, not on a traveller's nationality.
• The measures follow a Ministry of Health advisory dated 14 October 2026 and remain in place until further notice.
• No Ebola case has been detected in Seychelles, Public Health Commissioner Jude Gedeon said on 15 October 2026.
• Airlines, travel agents and tour operators must tell passengers about the entry conditions before travel.

What are the entry requirements?

According to the tourism ministry's statement, foreign nationals travelling from, or who have recently travelled to, the DRC must meet three conditions before entering Seychelles.

• Spend a minimum of 21 days outside the DRC before travelling to Seychelles.
• Comply with the health monitoring requirements of the country where they stayed.
• Provide supporting documentation where applicable.

The conditions apply to recent travel history rather than simply to a traveller's nationality. A visitor from any country who has recently been in the DRC should check their eligibility before departure.

What about Seychelles citizens and residents?

Different provisions apply to Seychellois citizens and residents. Those arriving from the DRC, or who have been there within the preceding 21 days, face mandatory public health measures determined by the Public Health Authority.

These may include quarantine at a designated facility or approved location for the remainder of the 21-day incubation period. The statement does not say that every returning citizen or resident must begin a fresh 21-day quarantine on arrival.

Is there Ebola in Seychelles?

No confirmed case has been reported in the sources reviewed for this article. On 15 October, Public Health Commissioner Jude Gedeon confirmed that no cases had been detected locally while explaining the strengthened entry requirements. The tourism ministry's statement describes the purpose as safeguarding residents and visitors while reducing the risk of importation.

Why is Seychelles taking precautions?

In its 19 October update, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported 9,455 confirmed cases and 4,561 deaths in the DRC, using data through 17 October, with eight provinces affected. The outbreak involves Bundibugyo virus, one of the viruses that cause Ebola disease. The ECDC also reported eight confirmed cases, including one death, in Kenya as of 18 October, linked to an initial patient who had travelled from the DRC.

The 21-day period reflects the disease's incubation window. According to the World Health Organization, symptoms can develop between two and 21 days after infection, and transmission occurs through direct contact with infected blood or other body fluids, or contaminated materials. People do not transmit the disease before symptoms develop.

What this means for travellers

Travellers without recent DRC travel are not covered by the 21-day condition described in this announcement, though all visitors should check current entry requirements before departure. Anyone who has been in the DRC within the previous 21 days should confirm their eligibility before booking, and airlines, travel agents and tour operators are required to inform passengers about the entry conditions before travel.

Tourism and Culture Minister Amanda Bernstein said the measures seek to protect both the island community and visitors, and cautioned against panic and discrimination. The Ministry of Health's announcement says the measures remain in force until further notice; travellers with health-related questions are directed to the Seychelles Ministry of Health for updated instructions.