The worldwide Covid-19 pandemic has a never-seen impact on the travel industry. Less than a year ago, people flew across the world over and over again, without a single care. Now, we are forced to take into account local health measures and a lot of us are just much more reluctant to go on a holiday. Some tourist destinations now take special measures in order to attract more visitors as the industry is suffering a great deal. The Brazilian archipelago Fernando de Noronha certainly has an original approach to tourism in times of corona.
Normally, Fernando de Noronha is one of Brazil’s most popular holiday destinations. Just by looking at the pictures alone, we immediately get why. The islands are truly a piece of paradise on Earth, covered as they are with lush woods, pearl white beaches and never-ending views. Sadly, Brazil is also one of the countries most affected by the virus. Fernando de Noronha therefore closed its imaginary doors to outsiders in March, meaning not a single tourist has set foot ashore for six months.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Now that things are slowly getting back to the new normal, the archipelago wants to start welcoming visitors again. Yet they also want to keep the infection risk as low as possible. That is why they decided only to allow tourists who already had Covid-19 before. Even though there is no actual proof you cannot catch the virus twice, according to island administrator Guilherme Rocha, it is at this moment in time the best bet to keep the virus away.
Of course, you will have to actually be able to prove you recovered from Covid-19. If you really want to visit the archipelago, you will therefore have to submit one of two types of tests. A PCR virus test or a IgG antibody test, which will be accepted if conducted at least twenty days before arrival. Maybe you would think all of that is a bit of a fuss and not worth the effort, yet keep in mind that the whole archipelago is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While there, you will be able to explore 21 stunning islands, a national marine park and an ecological sanctuary. And due to the special measures, there will be a lot less tourists on site than usual, meaning you get to enjoy the scenery even more. So, if you have had Covid-19 before, just make the most out of it and enjoy a tropical vacation.
