Coronavirus (COVID-19) Safety Measures
GET A 20% DISCOUNT FOR LONG TERM STAYS (MORE THAN 4 NIGHTS)
GET A 25% DISCOUNT IF YOU STAY FOR 4 NIGHTS BEFORE THE END OF SEPTEMBER 2023.
Pay for 3 nights and get the 4th night for free!
These offers are applicable to new bookings only.
WE ARE OPEN TO ACCEPT GUESTS
South Point Villas Cerf Island is an approved establishment certified by the Seychelles Department of Tourism to accept guests. The Seychelles government decides whether to permit international flights from certain countries, and there are SAFETY MEASURES in place at the airport and at our Villas. Countries designated as ‘high risk’ are not permitted to fly into Seychelles, and airlines are not permitted to board any passengers or crew who are symptomatic of coronavirus. We hope this provides you with some strong reassurance.
WE HAVE ADAPTED TO THE GLOBAL THREAT OF COVID-19
We have always strived to be a peaceful sanctuary on Cerf Island, and so we introduced safety measures to tackle the threat of COVID-19. This has impacted the way we interact with our guests upon arrival, during their stay with us, and at their departure. Fortunately, we have had no positive cases of COVID-19 to date, and our goal is to keep it that way.
OUR REMOTE AND PRIVATE LOCATION, AND BOUTIQUE SERVICE ARE AN ADVANTAGE
South Point Villas Cerf Island is located at the southernmost tip of the sparsely populated Cerf Island. The four villas are widely spaced-out over the property which extends over 5 acres with a waterfront of 120metres wide overlooking the small uninhabited island of Cache.
Other than the neighbouring property (formerly owned by the famous author Wilbur Smith), the next neighbour is over a kilometre away which ensures complete privacy and seclusion for each of our four villas.
Swimming is peaceful and safe inside the reef between the hotel and Cache, and for the more adventurous our double sea kayaks (which are free) allow our guests to explore the entire St Anne Marine National Park where the snorkelling is fabulous. Please ask our staff to sanitize the kayak and paddles before you use it.
Our guests are in the care of our manager Michel Estico and our housekeeper Christine. Michel has his own apartment on the property to make himself easily contactable for our guests. Michel and Christine have looked after our guests for over 7 years, so our guests are in competent and caring hands.
LATEST UPDATES AND INFORMATIVE RESOURCES:
Before you arrive to stay with us, there are many coronavirus resources online that can help you stay informed and empowered to make good decisions for your health. Here are some of our favourites so far that we have found to be particularly helpful. We hope that you find these coronavirus resources are also useful to you:
SEYCHELLES:
Seychelles’ Ministry of Health updates
Seychelles’ Ministry of Tourism guidelines for Visitors
World Health Organization (WHO) updates on Seychelles
SeyVillas (our travel partner’s) travel advice about Seychelles
TRAVEL ADVICE AND CHECKLISTS:
World Health Organization (WHO) advice
Lastminute.com: what to expect on airlines and in airports?
Skyscanner coronavirus travel checklist
MoneySuperMarket.com: getting Travel Insurance for Coronavirus
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
It is important that you are aware of the Seychelles’ government’s requirements for entry into the Seychelles. Also when you leave Seychelles there may be certain exit requirements by the Seychelles’ government, your airline, and/or your home country. Before you travel, please check with your airline and travel agent for the latest requirements both for entry into the Seychelles and for when you exit the Seychelles. For example:
- The Seychelles government decides whether to permit international flights from certain countries.
- When checking-in for your flight to Seychelles, all passengers must submit proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result that is less than 72 hours old prior to boarding a flight to Seychelles.
- Airlines are not permitted to board any passengers or crew who are symptomatic of COVID-19.
- Upon arrival in Seychelles, entry screening will be done such as completion of a Health Check form, symptomatic check, and temperature scanning.
- Upon arrival in Seychelles, all passengers must present proof of accommodation in approved establishments (such as South Point Villas Cerf Island) for their entire period of stay in Seychelles.
- When exiting Seychelles, some airlines (such as Emirates) are requiring a negative COVID-19 test result not older than 72 hours, so please check with your airline, travel agent, or approved establishment about where and when you would be able to get this test in the Seychelles.
CORONAVIRUS SAFETY MEASURES
Our safety measures are guided by the Seychelles’ Ministry of Health’s policies designed to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19 cases. This also helps to maintain our tradition of our Villas being your “home-from-home” to relax and have peace. We have always taken pride in keeping high standards of care towards our guests, and now with the advent of the global coronavirus pandemic, we have partnered with our guests to maintain this together.
GETTING SAFELY FROM THE AIRPORT TO YOUR PRIVATE VILLA
Our guest transfers from the airport are done by our Ministry of Health certified taxi driver, or by Ministry of Health certified travel operators. You will then arrive at our private ferry boat to journey from Mahe Island to your private Villa on Cerf Island.
SCREENING GUESTS/VISITORS AND STAFF BEFORE ARRIVAL
Upon meeting guests/visitors or staff on Mahe Island, a Ministry of Health form is administered to screen for flu-like symptoms. If a guest/visitor or staff member records a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius or above, the case must be reported to the Ministry of Health.
A logbook on guests/visitors and staff is maintained to keep a record of screening results.
HYGIENE MEASURES ON OUR PRIVATE FERRY BOAT
Our ferry boat is cleaned and disinfected before visitors or staff members get onboard.
Before boarding our ferry boat, everyone must wear face masks and sanitize their hands.
Everyone must wear a face mask on our ferry boat for the entire journey, and abide by physical distancing measures implemented by the skipper.
Physical distancing must be observed whenever possible on the boat.
Each crew member wears disposable gloves to handle your luggage.
Fabric items like towels used on the boat are replaced after each use.
CHECKING-IN SAFELY
Upon arrival at South Point Villas on Cerf Island, guests are taken straight from our ferry boat to their private Villa along with their luggage.
STAFF ARE TRAINED BY THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH
In line with the Ministry of Health’s policies, our Health and Safety point-person has taken the relevant training, is responsible for ensuring our safety measures are implemented as well as providing training and guidance to other staff members and guests, and is the point of contact between our establishment and the Ministry of Health.
MINIMAL CONTACT WITH STAFF FOR SERVICES
South Point Villas provides free internet access in all our villas. Our guests request services via telephone/WhatsApp directly to the housekeeper or the resident manager.
Similarly, our housekeeper and manager will communicate with our guests via telephone/WhatsApp, and only visit guests in their villas when necessary.
When interacting, a physical distance of 2 meters minimum must be observed at all times on the property.
FACE MASKS AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING
The layout of the property already helps us with physical distancing. Each Villa is well spaced-out and self-contained, including having its own private plunge pool.
Physical distancing of 2 meters minimum must be observed at all times on the property.
Guests from different villas are not permitted to mix, unless you have booked together as a group.
All guests are required to wear face masks whenever leaving the property.
DAILY MONITORING FOR CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOMS
Seychelles’ Ministry of Health requires our Health and Safety personnel to check the temperature of each guest using a non-contact infrared thermometer, and report to the designated medical officer by 8:30am daily.
In the event that a high fever (defined as 37 degrees Celsius or above) is detected, our Health and Safety personnel are required to inform the Ministry of Health by phone and their staff will contact our guest directly.
CLEANING AND DISINFECTING
HAND HYGIENE
Soap and hand sanitizers are provided in each villa and in the reception area. You are required to wash your hands regularly please.
DISHES AND CUTLERY
You need to clean your own dishes using the dishwasher machine with the available detergent.
When manual washing is required, all dishes and cutlery must be soaked in hot water and bleach, and then washed, rinsed, and dried-out. The taps must be disinfected and wiped clean with disposable paper towels.
All cleaned and dried dishes and cutlery must be stored in their appropriate cupboard or drawers or keep covered to prevent potential contamination from sneezes or coughs.
Prior to handling dishes or cutlery, guests are advised to wash their hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer for at least 20 seconds.
HOUSEKEEPING (DAILY AND AFTER CHECK-OUT)
Our housekeeping staff will do a general clean of your villa daily. This will involve:
- Wiping clean with disinfectant the hard surfaces in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, sitting area
- Steam-cleaning cushions, mattresses, pillows, pillowcases, and bed sheets
- Sweeping and mopping with warm water and disinfectant
- Replacing the linens every two days
The cleaning process will take about 30 minutes to one hour. During the cleaning process, guests must not be in their villa.
After a guest’s departure, the Villa is cleaned thoroughly and disinfected according to the Ministry of Health’s guidelines, and the Villa is unoccupied for at least 24 hours.
LAUNDRY SERVICE
If a guest uses our laundry service; clothing, towels, linens, napkins, table cloths and other items are washed in hot cycles of 70 degrees Celsius or more, with the usual detergent and dried completely.
The staff member handling the dirty laundry wears a disposable mask, gloves and apron at all times.
After doing the laundry; the mask, gloves and apron are disposed in a covered bin, and hands are washed thoroughly.
WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE FEELS ILL
If a guest feels unwell, they must immediately inform our staff by phone/Whatsapp. and are not permitted to leave their villa for any reason. We are required to report such a case to the Ministry of Health and they will contact our guest directly.
If a staff member feels unwell whilst working, they will remain in a quarantine room in our staff quarters. We are required to report such a case to the Ministry of Health and they will contact our staff member directly.
If a staff member feels unwell before coming to work, they are required to not come to work but seek medical help at their respective Health Centre.
If a positive COVID-19 case is determined, the room that had been occupied by the guest or staff member will be sanitized according to the Ministry of Health’s guidelines and the room will be unoccupied for at least 72 hours. Fortunately, we have had no positive cases of COVID-19 to date, and our goal is to keep it that way.