Friday 07 May 2021
With one week to go until the introduction of 'Category 2' countries and regions as part of the Bailiwick's travel rules, the CCA are advising those preparing to make a journey of some of the things they will need to consider.
With effect from 14 May 2021, Category 2 will apply to destinations with a prevalence of below 30 cases COVID-19 per 100,000 as listed on the gov.gg website, which also satisfy other Public Health criteria.
Category 2 travellers will be tested twice, on arrival and on day 7, but they will only need to self-isolate until their first result comes back negative (this may take up to 48 hours). They can then leave their self-isolation and observe 'passive follow-up' rules until 14 days after their arrival, but they must be tested again on day 7. If travelling as a family or group, everyone in the party MUST receive a negative test result before anyone leaves self-isolation. Category 2 visitors who depart from Guernsey before completing 7 days will be asked to take a test on departure at the airport or harbour (instead of a test on day 7).
Country and regional category lists, watchlists and maps
An indicative map of the United Kingdom has been released today to give Islanders an idea of the countries and regions that are likely to meet the criteria for Category 2 next week. Anyone considering travel should note that while many UK regions have seen the prevalence of COVID-19 falling, the rate at which case numbers are coming down has slowed in recent days and it is not possible to be certain at this stage how much of the country will meet the criteria for Category 2.
Prevalence rates are now assessed 3 times a week on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Any changes are made at midnight that night and, where necessary, a new map is published. On Wednesday 12 May 2021 we will publish a map that shows the category 4 and 3 regions in the UK AND a separate map which will show the areas that will become category 2 with effect from Friday 14 at 00.01 hrs. 'Watchlists' are also provided online so anyone considering travel can see if the location they are coming from is likely to move into a more restricted category. Maps, country and region lists and the watchlists can all be found at Country and Regional Classifications | States of Guernsey - COVID-19 (gov.gg)
Arrivals into the Bailiwick are again reminded that they must provide details on their travel history on the online Travel Tracker before they arrive. Travellers have to provide their travel history for the 14 days prior to arrival in the Bailiwick. This can be done 2 days before travel. Full details on what is required for travel can be found at Travelling to and from the Bailiwick | States of Guernsey - COVID-19 (gov.gg).
Transit through different category regions
Passengers travelling to the Bailiwick also need to be aware of the implications of transiting through regions of the UK which are assessed in different categories. The following will be in effect from 14 May 2021. However, it may be subject to change in the future so travellers should check back to the latest information online regularly.
If your journey to the Bailiwick means you transiting through a port or airport in a higher category region, that higher category WILL effect which category is applied to you and will therefore effect your self-isolation requirements.
However, transit through a Category 3 or 4 region will not count as spending time in that country or region (and therefore will not require travellers to self-isolate for longer) if you:
Transit directly through in a private vehicle (which includes a taxi) where:
- The private vehicle does not stop at all in the Category 3 or 4 region; or
- The private vehicle only stops in the Category 3 or 4 region and
- No new people get into the vehicle
- No one gets out, comes within 2 metres of any other person (other than those they are travelling with) and gets back in again
These restrictions should allow travellers to transit through Category 3 or 4 regions and fill up with petrol (where you pay at the petrol pump rather than in a shop or kiosk) or use public conveniences etc (subject to the 2 metre social distancing requirement).
The same applies to transit directly through on public transport (coach, train or bus) that does not stop AT ALL in the Category 3 or 4 region.
COVID-19 testing for travellers prior to returning to an early years, school or nursery setting
Finally, parents intending to travel are being advised that all children (whatever age) due to attend an early year setting, nursery, school or college while in passive follow-up, following travel into the Bailiwick, need to have a negative PCR test within the 48 hour period before they return to those settings. This is also required of school and education setting staff. These tests are free of charge and should be requested by completing an online form here: www.gov.gg/returntoeducation. Please note children of 12 years or older who travel into the Bailiwick are required to test on arrival and on either day 7 or day 13 depending on the Category of region or country they have travelled from, and from 14th May these tests do incur a £25 charge.
