Travelling from outside of the Bailiwick

Guidance for British people travelling and living overseas during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is available on the GOV.UK website.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented international border closures and other restrictions. All countries may restrict travel without notice.  Guidance on how the UK Government’s new COVID-19 border restrictions apply to Bailiwick Residents can be found below.

If you now need to change or cancel your travel plans, follow these steps:

1. Contact your airline, travel company, cruise line or other transport and accommodation providers
2. Get in touch with your insurance provider
3. Continue to follow the States of Guernsey coronavirus guidance

It is recommended that you check your travel insurance cover before travelling.

Organisations can apply for Critical Workers to have an exemption from the post-travel 14 day isolation period. Critical Workers are defined as ‘individuals whose presence in the Bailiwick is required to keep critical services running, and are not already available in the Bailiwick. A guidance document and application form have been produced and is available below.

The UK Government introduced restrictions for people entering the UK on 8 June 2020. Bailiwick residents returning to the Bailiwick from abroad and transiting through the UK have to self-isolate (regardless of any symptoms or port of origin) for the time that they are in the UK, but they do not have to stay in the UK for as long as 14 days.

When you arrive in the UK, you must go straight to the place where you will self-isolate – unless you are not staying overnight and you can travel direct to your place of departure (port or airport) to travel back to the Bailiwick. You should minimise the time that you are in any public or shared location and you cannot have any visitors whilst in self-isolation in the UK, unless that person is providing essential care to you. 

You will be required by the UK authorities to complete a form to provide journey and contact details before travelling to the UK. When in the UK, you will need to follow the UK’s self-isolation rules which can be found here.

There is a short list of exemptions for those who, due to their type of work or purpose of their visit, will not be required to self-isolate. This list can be found here.

Public transport can be used if there is no other option – for travel from your place of arrival in the UK (port, airport or station) to your place of departure (port or airport) to travel back to the Bailiwick; or for travel from your place of arrival in the UK to overnight accommodation (if you have to stay overnight) and onwards to your place of departure (port or airport) to travel back to the Bailiwick. If using public transport, you must wear something that covers your nose and mouth and stay 2 metres away from others.  

The existing requirements to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival in the Bailiwick continue to apply to anyone arriving in the Bailiwick form anywhere, including the UK. Any time in transit in the UK does not count towards that 14 day period in the Bailiwick.

If you are travelling to the UK from the Bailiwick, you will not be required by the UK authorities to complete a form to provide journey and contact details before travelling to the UK. You will also not be required to self-isolate on arrival in the UK.

It is recommended that you check your travel insurance cover before travelling.

Some FAQs have been produced on this topic and can be found at https://covid19.gov.gg/faqs

The Bailiwick has now reached phase five of its exit from COVID-19 lockdown, which allows for the re-opening of visitor accommodation premises on the islands. However, any person arriving in the Bailiwick will be legally required to self-isolate for 14 days. On arrival, you will be asked to provide proof of identity as well as your self-isolation address to any customs officer, police officer or other authorised person who requests the information. More information on self-isolation is available at https://covid19.gov.gg/support/protect. 

Please note that there will be a 7-day mandatory self-isolation trial period for those arriving into Guernsey between 5-10th July 2020. More information is available below.

It is recommended that you check your travel insurance cover before travelling.

The Civil Contingencies Authority has decided to operate a 7-day isolation pilot for those arriving into Guernsey between the 5th and 10th July inclusive. There will be an absolute cap of 1376 arrivals in total, coming in on a limited and specified number of Condor Ferries and Aurigny services. Those who arrive, will be required to self-isolate for 14 days with a test for COVID-19 on the 7th day. If the test returns negative, arrivals would be released from self-isolation on the 8th day, or as soon as a negative result becomes available. Those travelling through Guernsey to Alderney and Sark will not be eligible to take part in the pilot, in line with the decisions of those jurisdictions.

Those who take part in this trial must adhere to the following by law: For days 1-7, you must not leave your accommodation and you must not leave the Island.

Between days 8 and 14, those leaving self-isolation will be subject to ‘passive follow-up’ meaning they will be asked to report any symptoms, no matter how mild. Anyone experiencing any symptoms will be asked to be tested again. All in this group will also be asked to limit their contact with other people as much as possible, for example avoid going to restaurants during this time. This approach balances the health protection risk of infection with the wider health and wellbeing needs of the population. This means that you must not leave the Island until after day 14 of arriving.

While the incubation period for the coronavirus is understood to be between 2 and 14 days, data shows more than 80% of cases would be identified after 7 days. Coupled with passive follow-up and the Bailiwick’s track and trace system, the risk of this approach is felt to be very low. However, before introducing 7-day testing as the norm, this pilot is being carried out first to help ensure its effectiveness and to gather the requisite evidence to support any such decision.

It is important to note that throughout our response to the pandemic, we have been led by data. This 7-day test approach is our preferred option and has been independently peer-reviewed. However, it is recognised that there is no model that is completely without risk, but this is the best and lowest-risk option. We need to balance the risks of the virus with the other health impacts on individuals. Managing this pilot in a controlled way is our best solution to test what will work for us. If we do get a case we must not see this as a step backwards, we are very well equipped to respond in this controlled environment.

A Guidance document has been produced and can be found below. Please ensure you have read this is full before travelling. You will also find the legal advice, legal notice and form which relates to this trial in the downloads box below.

The presentation slides shown in the media briefing on Tuesday 23rd June are available in the downloads box below.

On Thursday 25 June, the Governments of Guernsey and the Isle of Man announced the launch of an ‘Air Bridge’ allowing travel between the jurisdictions without the need for self-isolating on arrival.

This air bridge is expected to be the first established by any governments in the British Isles, as well as being the first air bridge between two jurisdictions within the British Isles.

It is anticipated that commercial flights will begin in July, running for an initial six-week period. Aurigny – Guernsey’s airline – is due to announce details of flight schedules and ticket sales in the week commencing 29th June. 

The decision to form an air bridge follows talks last week between the Chief Ministers of Guernsey and the Isle of Man, as well as both governments’ Public Health teams.  Both jurisdictions have very similar measures in place for border controls from other locations, and robust testing and contact tracing capabilities, and neither have seen a new case of COVID-19 for several weeks. Aurigny and the airports in Guernsey and the Isle of Man have also worked together to ensure the air bridge can be opened quickly.

Effective from Monday 8 June 2020 to Sunday 5 July 2020 inclusive.

Guernsey Airport Terminal Opening Hours

Weekdays: 10:00 to 19:15 (local time)
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 15:30 to 19:15 (local time)

Guernsey Airport Operating Hours:

Weekdays: 11:30 to 20:00 (local time)
Saturday: 10:00 to 19:30 (local time)
Sunday: 10:00 to 19:30 (local time)

There are currently no changes to the current medevac operations, including the transportation of urgent medical and pathology supplies.

Alderney Airport Terminal Opening Hours

Weekdays: 11:00 to 19:00 (local time)
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 16:30 to 19:00 (local time)

Alderney Airport Operating Hours

Weekdays: 11:30 to 19:00 (local time)
Saturday: 10:00 to 19:00 (local time)
Sunday: 10:00 to 19:00 (local time)

There are currently no changes to the current medevac operations, including the transportation of urgent medical and pathology supplies.

When travelling on an aeroplane into and out of the Bailiwick, passengers will need to wear a facemask to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus from any infected passengers. Passengers are asked to bring their own where possible, but for travellers unable to source one, a mask will be provided at the airport.

In a small contained environment such as the cabin of a plane, the use of a face mask can prevent the spread of infectious droplets from an infected person to someone else. It can also prevent the potential contamination of the environment by these droplets. The use of a face mask does not remove the need to practice good respiratory hygiene.  You must NOT travel if you have any of the following symptoms:

Fever (chills/can’t get warm/high temperature) muscle ache (fatigue, exhaustion), headache (sinus pain, pain around the eyes) loss of smell/taste, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath, chest tightness

Instructions:

• Before putting on the mask, please clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and hot water.
• Find the top side with the metal or stiff edge
• Ensure the coloured side faces outwards
• Place the stiff edge over your nose
• Cover your mouth and nose with the mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask
• Put the elastic straps over your ears or tie the mask behind your head, using both ties, depending on the type of fastening.
• Avoid touching your mask while wearing it and do not remove it at any time during the flight unless instructed to do so by the cabin crew or pilot
• Keep the mask on until you reach your final destination
• To remove the mask: remove it from behind (do not touch the front of mask)
• Keep the mask away from you and others whilst you remove it
• Carefully place it into a bin
• As soon as possible afterwards clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and hot water

If you have any enquiries regarding bookings you already have, please contact your carrier:

• Aurigny, 01481 267267
• Blue Islands, 01234 589200
• Condor Ferries, 0345 609 1024

Pleasure boating and general aviation flights are permitted to operate. However, vessels and aircraft have to remain in Bailiwick territorial seas or air space to avoid the need for you to self-isolate for 14 days.

Detailed guidelines are available below.

When you arrive at Guernsey Airport, it is recommended that you use your own vehicle wherever possible for onward travel to your destination to begin the mandatory 14-day self-isolation period. Where this is not possible, a friend of family member may collect you provided you sit in the rear of the vehicle, the windows are kept open and the vehicle is cleaned after use. If there is no alternative, a taxi can be used. Only one passenger is permitted per journey, unless it is a returning couple/family and they are going to self-isolate together.

Passengers are recommended to continue wearing face masks issued prior to boarding the aircraft until such time as they reach their final destination.

When you leave the airport or harbour, you MUST go straight to your final destination. Please do not stop to shop for groceries etc on the way.

Self-isolation is separating yourself from physical contact with the rest of the community (including those you live with where possible). For those arriving in the Island who may choose to self-isolate in a hotel or guest house, or in a multi-occupancy building this means staying in your own room and having your meals delivered.

If available, you should use a separate bathroom from the rest of the household.

You MUST remain in your home - except for getting medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas, and do not use public transport or taxis until you have been told that is safe to do so. You will need to ask for help if you require groceries, other shopping or medications.

Full details and guidance regarding self-isolation can be found here: https://covid19.gov.gg/support/protect

There are still only very limited connections to the island by air, and no passenger travel by sea, as yet. Potential travellers will need to check carefully any current pre-departure requirements in their home jurisdiction, and whether any public health requirements will apply on their return home. You will also be obliged to follow in-transit requirements stipulated by your carrier.

If you travel to the Bailiwick by plane you will be given a mask to wear whilst on the plane.  Full details can be found here: https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/travel

It is recommended that you check your travel insurance cover before travelling.

New arrivals to the Bailiwick are required to enter a 14 day period of mandatory self-isolation, at a suitable address. Detailed information about what this means will be provided to all arrivals, but basically you will be completely confined to your accommodation, 24/7 for two weeks. If staying at a hotel all meals will have to be taken in the room. If your accommodation is self-catering, you will need to make arrangements for the safe delivery of food and other essentials to the premises.   Please note that non-compliance with this requirement is now an arrestable offence, and on conviction a maximum fine of £10,000 per person applies.  Spot checks are carried out to ensure compliance with this mandatory self-isolation. More information can be found at https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/travel.

You should self-isolate on your own or within your travel party if you have all travelled together. Your self-isolation should take place away from anyone else in your household if they have not travelled with you. If this isn’t possible then your household would need to self-isolate with you for 14 days on your return to the Bailiwick.

A list of self-isolation accommodation providers can be found in the download sections below.

This could potentially be a very expensive experience. The Bailiwick health care system is not part of the NHS, and there is no reciprocal health agreement between the Islands and the UK. 

We note that healthcare providers have indicated that they will not cover ‘pandemic’ outbreaks to their members (i.e. BUPA UK) and therefore it is essential for people visiting Guernsey to ensure that they have adequate healthcare cover and to check the small print of their policies.  All policies are different dependent upon the level of cover they have purchased.

This means that any medical expenses incurred, including ambulance transportation, emergency treatment, consultations, procedures, hospitalisation, medications and prescriptions, and emergency repatriation will have to be met in full by the person involved. 

Furthermore, if you, or anyone else in your party, displays symptoms of COVID-19, you will be required to undergo a further period of self-isolation until all in the party have conclusively tested negative for the virus. This could mean having to find additional or alternative accommodation for each person involved. It is therefore essential to ensure that you have adequate funding available or travel insurance to cover all such eventualities, prior to arranging travel.

In that unfortunate event, either here or in your home country, it is highly likely that borders will be entirely closed again, travel restrictions re-imposed and another lockdown implemented. You could be left facing an extended stay on the island, again at your own expense.