Countries across the globe are resorting to measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus. In one such preventive measure, Seychelles has banned cruise ships until the end of 2021. The two-year ban comes into effect immediately.

The Ministry for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine said the ban is part of measures to prevent and minimise the impact of another outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.

According to Seychelles news agency, Didier Dogley, Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, said that the measure is in line with the World Tourism Organisation.

&ldquoThe Seychelles Ports Authority appreciates the fact that the government has made a prudent decision to mitigate the impact that COVID-19 may have in the medium term. It is to be noted that the cruise industry has been a major catalyst by which the COVID-19 has spread throughout the world,&rdquo said the chief executive of Seychelles Port Authority, Ronny Brutus. 

Seychelles is an archipelagic island country in the Indian Ocean and depends heavily on tourism for revenue. It has also been reported that the decision has garnered local support. However, Dogley said that the government has taken several measures, including financial, to help tourism-related businesses to stay afloat in these times and until the industry picks up again. 

Among the previous series of preventive measures, Seychelles also announced that any person who is not a citizen and who exits Seychelles from 4th May, 2020, will not be allowed to return to the island country for a period of 3 months from the date of exit.