MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Cabo Verde closes all borders and restricts flights; Falklands air link disrupted

Following the confirmation of a first Covid 19 case, Cabo Verde has closed all sea borders and restricted flights

Authorities of Cape Verde have closed all sea borders and have restricted flights from the UK, US, Canada and a number of other European countries from 18 March. As of 18 March, only a restricted number of flights are allowed into the country to enable visitors to return home. This follows confirmation of a Covid 19 case in the former Portuguese colony.

As a result this in effect means a disruption for the Falklands/Brize Norton air link which calls at Cabo Verde.

UK health authorities have classified Cape Verde as having a moderate risk of Zika virus transmission. There is also a low risk of malaria in the capital city, Praia (Santiago Island). The info is from UK's foreign travel advice.

However according to the US State Department advice, ”effective March 19, 2020, the Government of Cabo Verde has suspended commercial passenger flights in and out of Cabo Verde, including flights to Portugal, Senegal, the United States, and other European countries, with limited exceptions for citizens returning home from Cabo Verde and for medical emergencies.

In addition, passengers on board cruise ships and sailboats will not be allowed to disembark. The government announced that these restrictions will remain in place for three weeks and may be renewed.

Cabo Verde has lab facilities as of March 15, 2020 to test for COVID-19.

Earlier this week, Brigadier Nick Sawyer, Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands speaking in the Falkland Islands stated that for BFSAI maintaining the South Atlantic Airbridge (SAA) is a priority

BFSAI is committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of all their personnel and the population of the Falkland Islands, underlined Brigadier Sawyer.

However if Cape Verde were to close their border, “there are contingency plans in place to ensure the SAA can still be maintained”, assured the BFSAI commander.