What 2020 was like for the Seychelles

In August 1770, the first settlers arrived in the Seychelles. This happened 250 years ago and 2020 was supposed to be the anniversary year. But it did not happen. An epidemic of coronavirus infection prevented it. Although the country was preparing for the event. A program of events was developed, funds were allocated, and everyone was waiting for the event, but the celebration was postponed.

On March 14, 2020, the first cases of COVID-19 were reported. And then there were masks, sanitizers, restrictions, flight cancellations, airport closures. It was the first ever closure of the country. When you consider that tourism makes a significant contribution to the country’s economy, a GDP of about 30%. It was a big blow. The local currency, the Seychelles rupee, reached a low value against the dollar and euro. In reason of this, prices in the country have risen.

The measures taken helped contain the spread of coronavirus infection. The level of the disease was very low compared to other countries. This allowed the airport to open in August 2020 for commercial flights and the first tourists. The main attraction of the country at that time was the low incidence of no more than 100 people and distancing due to the lack of mass tourism. The low population density and empty beaches ensured 100% safety. But despite these pluses, by the end of November there were 70% fewer tourists arriving than in 2019.

In October, the presidential election was held, and there were significant changes. The opposition party Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) won the election, and with it presidential candidate Wavel Ramkawalan. Although he had lost election six times before 2020. In general, the year was full of changes in the political sphere. There was a change of leadership in the judiciary, the National Assembly and the Roman Catholic Church, which is the main one in the Seychelles.

Once again, Seychelles has felt the effects of climate change and the globalization of the world. In October there was an algae bloom near the islands of Praslin and Felicite. A phenomenon extremely rare for this area, which quickly passed, but some of the fish were affected. A few years ago, a warm current caused great ecological damage, ruining some coral reefs.

The most unpleasant thing that happened not so long about two years ago, but in 2020 it has already been massively talked about is the large amount of garbage on Aldabra Atoll. On an atoll with a unique ecosystem, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Now it has become an environmental disaster. Mountains of trash lie on the shoreline, turtles and other animals are dying. Even its remoteness from the rest of the world has not saved the atoll. More information about it has appeared online, and projects to save the place, like the Aldabra Clean Up Project, have sprung up.

That is why many environmental programs were launched in 2020. The topic of ecology received special attention. While there were no tourists, local volunteers and employees of environmental organizations planted trees, cleared national parks and reserves of natural debris, and studied the impact of global warming on the nature of the Seychelles. In addition to reducing the use of plastic, the Seychelles decided to ban the import and use of balloons for various activities to keep the beaches and the ocean clean. Also, in November, there was a major cleanup effort.

There was some good news in 2020. For the first time, a Seychelles resident was awarded the Human Rights Prize by the states of France and Germany. It was Judge Mathilda Twomey. She defends the rights of minors. As in many countries of the world, a volunteer movement has been organized here to help all in need. The nation rallied against COVID-19 and supported each other.

In December, the president of Seychelles reported about receiving 350,000 doses of vaccines from investors and the government of Abu Dhabi. And the fishing industry, which is second in GDP after tourism, donated to the vaccination program. In his address to the nation on the eve of the new year, President Wavel Ramkawalan acknowledged 2020 as one of the hardest years and noted that 2021 will not be an easy year either.