Current Travel Requirements

Any fully vaccinated adult, will be classified as Category 2 if they have travelled anywhere outside of the Common Travel Area in the previous 14 days – as long as they have not spent any time in a country on the UK’s ‘red list’. Category 2 arrivals take a PCR test on arrival, isolate until a negative result and then have a second PCR test on day 7.  Category 2 arrivals must comply with ‘passive follow-up rules’ until 14 days after their arrival in the Bailiwick.

If you are not fully vaccinated, then country and region categories will apply as normal. More info on categories can be found at: https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/travel/countries.

A country is specified for the purposes of paragraph 4(1)(b)(iii) of Schedule 2 to the Emergency Powers (Coronavirus) (General Provision) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (No. 9) Regulations, 2021 where it is listed on the "UK Red List" (as may be amended from time to time) found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england#red-list.

Anyone fully vaccinated, will be a Blue Channel Traveller* if they arrive in the Bailiwick of Guernsey having only been within the CTA in the prior 14 days.

If you are not fully vaccinated, then country and region categories will apply as normal. More info on categories can be found at: https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/travel/countries.

• *Blue channel traveller – this is someone who has been fully vaccinated and whose 14-day travel history only involves the CTA. There will not be any self-isolation requirements for these individuals. They must however purchase a pack of five LFTs (Lateral Flow Test) via Travel Tracker for each inbound journey into the Bailiwick of Guernsey if they are an adult (18+). 

If you are unwell do not travel. If you are returning to the Bailiwick, please make alternative arrangements and delay your travel. We all have a responsibility to play our part in keeping our community safe from COVID-19. Your actions could have serious consequences.

You must also be aware that there may be ramifications if you test positive, are identified as a close contact of a positive, or self-isolation requirements change at short notice.

• If you start to experience any symptoms, no matter how mild, you need to contact the Clinical Helpline by calling 01481 756938 or 01481 756969 and go into self-isolation.
• If you receive a positive COVID-19 (PCR) test at any point during your stay in the Bailiwick, you will be required to remain in self-isolation.
• You will not be able to travel during this self-isolation period and you will have to make arrangements to remain in the Bailiwick if your planned stay is shorter than the self-isolation period.
• The mandatory self-isolation period will end when you have received a negative PCR rest.
• If you are staying in a shared household in the Bailiwick and you receive a positive PCR test result, the other people in your household will be required to self-isolate for 14 days from the time of the test. As such, you should consider the potential implications of your travel for those in your household and discuss this with them before travelling.
• If you have been identified as having had close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case while in or travelling to the Bailiwick, you may be required to self-isolate from the time of last contact or undergo additional testing.

If you have travelled to the Bailiwick and are advised that you need to unexpectedly self-isolate then you may need to find alternative accommodation if your current accommodation isn’t suitable. If this situation arises you should contact Public Health Services by calling 01481 725241 who will be able to advise you of options for self-isolation accommodation. Please note that, other than in exceptional circumstances - or if you have travelled for medical or compassionate reasons - you will be required to fund this accommodation yourself.

The World Health Organisation has made a video about factors to help you make safe choices when you're in an area of widespread COVID-19 transmission. You can view this here.

The ‘Blue Channel’ is the term used on our Travel Tracker system that identifies those travellers arriving in the Bailiwick who are fully vaccinated and they have not travelled outside of the CTA 14 days prior to their travel into the Bailiwick.

‘Blue Channel’ passengers are not required to undertake any self-isolation on arrival in the Bailiwick. Fully vaccinated travellers into the Bailiwick will need to purchase a lateral flow test (LFT) pack for £25 per person when they complete their Travel Tracker account. 

In order to be eligible for the blue arrival channel into the Bailiwick of Guernsey, an arriving individual will be required to provide official proof of vaccination issued by the relevant public health authority. Other forms of evidence such as vaccination appointment cards and GP letters will not be accepted at this time, however, this will be kept under review. 

For travellers arriving into Guernsey Airport, in luggage reclaim the Welcome Team will be asking to see your Travel Tracker account. Once the team has checked your account, if you are a Blue traveller, you will be issued with a wristband, which you are only requested to wear until you leave the testing facility. This will enable you to be Fast Tracked, through the next two checkpoints, and you'll only need to show your Travel Tracker once, making your journey through the airport quicker and smoother. Once you are outside of the facilities you can dispose of your wristband in one of the bins provided.

Further details about COVID Status Certificates can be found here: COVID Status Certificates (Vaccine Passports) | States of Guernsey - COVID-19 (gov.gg

Category 1 will be for countries and regions where there is an agreed Air Bridge in place. There will be no testing or self-isolation requirements for those arriving from Category 1 countries and regions.

Countries and regions with a prevalence rate of under 30 cases per 100,000 population for 7 consecutive days are in Category 2.

If you have spent time in a Category 2 country or region in the 14-day period immediately before arriving in the Bailiwick, you can opt to take a PCR self-swab test on arrival and self-isolate until you receive a negative result from that test. You must then comply with the "passive follow-up" rules until 14 days after your arrival in the Bailiwick. You must also take a PCR test on day 7.

For the avoidance of doubt, while travellers are not obliged to take any test, any person who:

• declines to take a test on arrival, and/or
• any other test required to reduce his or her period of self-isolation,

must self-isolate for a period of 21 days, regardless of the countries or regions which he or she has spent time in during the 14-day period immediately before his or her arrival in the Bailiwick.

Full details can be found here.

Information regarding self-isolation, household bubbles, special arrangements for children etc. can be found here.

Countries and regions with a prevalence rate between 30 to 100 cases per 100,000 population for 7 consecutive days are in Category 3.

If you have spent time in a Category 3 country or region in the 14-day period immediately before arriving in the Bailiwick, you can opt to take a PCR self-swab test on arrival, self-isolate AND take a further PCR test on Day 7.

If you have a negative result from your test on arrival, you may only leave self-isolation when you also receive a negative result from your Day 7 test. You must then comply with the "passive follow-up" rules until 14 days after your arrival in the Bailiwick.

For the avoidance of doubt, while travellers are not obliged to take any test, any person who:

• declines to take a test on arrival, and/or
• any other test required to reduce his or her period of self-isolation,

must self-isolate for a period of 21 days, regardless of the countries or regions which he or she has spent time in during the 14-day period immediately before his or her arrival in the Bailiwick.

Full details can be found here.

Information regarding self-isolation, household bubbles, special arrangements for children etc. can be found here.

Countries and regions with a prevalence rate of more than 100 cases per 100,000 population for 7 consecutive days are in Category 4.

If you:

• are aged 18 or over, and
• have spent time in a Category 4 country or region in the 14-day period immediately before arriving in the Bailiwick,

You can opt to take a PCR self-swab test on arrival, self-isolate AND take a further PCR test on day 13 (a "Day 13 test"). Where your test on arrival and Day 13 test are negative, you may leave self-isolation ONLY when you receive the negative Day 13 test result. 

For the avoidance of doubt, while travellers are not obliged to take any test, any person who:

• declines to take a test on arrival, and/or
• any other test required to reduce his or her period of self-isolation, must self-isolate for a period of 21 days, regardless of the countries or regions which he or she has spent time in during the 14-day period immediately before his or her arrival in the Bailiwick.

Full details can be found here.

Information regarding self-isolation, household bubbles, special arrangements for children etc. can be found here.

The following rules will apply from 16 August 2021 for children/young people travelling with fully vaccinated adults. Children/young people take on the vaccination status of the parent/adult they are travelling with, including the isolation requirements on arrival.

Children 11 years and under travelling with fully vaccinated adults:

• Children aged 11 years and under would not need to be tested, but will still need to undergo the same self-isolation period as the accompanying adults.

Children and young people aged 12 to 17 travelling with fully vaccinated adults:

• Children and young people are not required to purchase or use Lateral Flow Tests(LFTs)
   
• Travel only within the CTA in prior 14 days
   
  • Self-taken swab on Day of Arrival
     
  • Isolation until the result of the Day of Arrival test - please note that the fully vaccinated adults are not required to isolate if they do not wish to
     
  • Day 7 test through scheduling
     
  • Passive follow-up between result of Day of Arrival test and result of Day 7 test
     
• Travelling from anywhere outside of the CTA
   
  • If they have visited a country on the UK Red List in prior 14 days:
    Will be classed as Category 4 - They must follow testing and isolation requirements as per the country and region categories as normal.
     
  • No UK Red List travel history in prior 14 days:
    Will be classed as Category 2 - They must follow testing and isolation requirements as per the country and region categories as normal.
    
    As a reminder, anyone following Category 2 travel requirements will need to take a PCR test on arrival (Day 1) into the Bailiwick, isolate until they receive a negative result and then have a second PCR test on Day 7. Tests must be arranged and paid for when completing a journey on Travel Tracker. Category 2 arrivals must also comply with ‘passive follow-up rules’ until 14 days after their arrival into the Bailiwick.
    
    For the avoidance of doubt, while travellers are not obliged to take any test, any person who:
    
    declines to take a test on arrival, and/or
     
  • any other test required to reduce his or her period of self-isolation, must self-isolate for a period of 21 days, regardless of the countries or regions which he or she has spent time in during the 14-day period immediately before his or her arrival in the Bailiwick.
  • Full details regarding self-isolation, household bubbles, special arrangements for children and to read more about what is meant by ‘passive follow-up’ go to: https://covid19.gov.gg/support/protect
     
  • Please note that anyone leaving the Bailiwick before Day 7 will be asked to take a pre-departure test. Please ensure that you complete your departure date in the Travel Tracker.

Vaccinated 16 & 17 year olds

As of 15th September, the CCA has agreed that 16 and 17 year old islanders who have received one dose of vaccine (in accordance with the JCVI guidelines) and 2 weeks have elapsed since that dose was administered will be able to benefit from reduced restrictions on arrival into the Bailiwick, like other fully vaccinated travellers. This will include being able to benefit from the ‘blue channel’ when travelling from the Common Travel Area. Read more in the release.

For children who are travelling with adults who are not fully vaccinated (or where at least one of the adults in the travelling group is not fully vaccinated), the rules for the child will depend entirely on which category country or region they have travelled from.

Unaccompanied minors travelling to the Bailiwick are very few, but they or their parents/guardians should contact Public Health to discuss the specific circumstances of their journey: publichealth@gov.gg or call 01481 707311. Unaccompanied minors arriving in the Bailiwick must self-isolate in accordance with their travel history.

All children/young people who travel into the Bailiwick and wish to enter an educational setting within 14 days of their arrival will need to follow the education guidance found at Education guidance | States of Guernsey - COVID-19 (gov.gg)

More frequently asked questions can be found at: covid19.gov.gg/faqs/july

Passive follow up means a person:

• Must at all times be vigilant for symptoms, however mild, of COVID-19; must report any such symptoms immediately to the Clinical Helpline; and must comply with any instructions given by Public Health thereafter (which may, for the avoidance of doubt, include an immediate resumption of self-isolation);
• Must not enter a nursing, care or residential home without the prior agreement of the manager of the home, received after having informed the manager of the home of their status as being subject to these restrictions and should not return to work there unless they have an agreed method statement with Public Health; 
• Must not, other than in an emergency, enter the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, and in an emergency must give prior notification of their status as being subject to these restrictions before entering the Princess Elizabeth Hospital if reasonably practicable in all the circumstances and should not return to work there unless they have an agreed method statement with Public Health; 
• Must inform any other healthcare provider (for example, a doctor, optometrist or dentist) of their status as being subject to these restrictions when making any appointment for care;
• Must, so far as reasonably practicable, keep a record of people met and places visited (to assist with contact tracing if necessary); and,
• Must comply with any additional conditions and restrictions imposed from time to time by the Medical Officer of Health.

Travel during passive follow-up is allowed, for for cat 2, anyone leaving the Bailiwick before day 7 needs to request a pre departure test. Please ensure you complete your departure date in the Travel Tracker. Anyone that choses not to test will not be entitled to a refund.

Passengers will have already paid for this test when they completed the Travel Tracker.

A person may enter the Princess Elizabeth Hospital to visit a patient who is seriously ill if the management of the hospital agrees and if a method statement has been agreed with Public Health.

Parents intending to travel outside of the Bailiwick 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 their return 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: gov.gg/returntoeducation.

If a traveller from a Category 3 country needs to leave the Bailiwick between the receipt of their negative Day 7 test and Day 14 following their arrival into the Bailiwick they WILL be allowed to travel.

Compassionate variation

It is possible to apply for a variation of self-isolation under certain restricted circumstances. this is considered for  one or more of the following reasons:

• Travelling to the Bailiwick to visit or support a terminally ill person;
• Travelling to the Bailiwick to attend a funeral;
• Travelling to or from the Bailiwick to support shared care arrangements for children and young people;
• Travelling to the Bailiwick to support an adult with complex needs or a learning disability for whom the traveller has caring responsibilities.
• Travelling to or from a UK hospital for treatment which has been approved through the Off-Island Services
• Travelling to the Bailiwick and then receiving medical care during the 14 days self-isolation in the Bailiwick
• Travelling to the Bailiwick to receive end of life care

For further information and to apply for a variation on compassionate or medical grounds - click here https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/travel/medical. 

If you are required to be tested on arrival, you will be given a testing kit which will include everything you need to take your sample. Your pack will include:

• Swab
• Green screw topped tube
• Plastic envelope

You will need to take two samples, one from the back of your throat and the other from the inside of your nose – using the same swab.

Please make sure you scan the barcode on the green screw topped tube to register your test against your Travel Tracker account, this will let the Laboratory know that you have submitted your test.

Once you have completed your test, please ensure the lid is secure and then take it in the envelope to the exit desk.

For a more detailed step by step guide on the process of self-swabbing please see the download below. There are also videos about what happens at both the airport and harbour available below.

A £25 charge will be applied for each test required as part of your arrival in the Bailiwick. This includes your test on arrival if required, and your test on either Day 7 or Day 13 (depending on which Category you have travelled from).

You can pay this charge through your Travel Tracker account.

You are not required to pay this charge if you are:

• A child under-12
• Travelling for medical reasons
• Accompanying someone who is travelling for medical reasons
• Travelling for compassionate reasons

If you have arrived in the Bailiwick and are required to take a COVID-19 test on day 7 or day 13 following your arrival, these will take place at the East Arm at the Harbour. The only exception to this is for certain critical workers who will receive their own personalised testing regimes which will include the location of the testing. The East Arm is a drive through testing centre and, therefore, you must arrive in a car or on a motorcycle with a full face helmet only. You cannot walk or arrive on a bicycle. Guernsey Taxi drivers will accept fares to the East Arm testing centre.

A map of where the East Arm is located can be found here: Getting Tested | States of Guernsey - COVID-19 (gov.gg)

Please note: If you are a Category 2 traveller leaving before Day 7 test you are requested to complete your departure date in Travel Tracker and attend for a test the day before departure. Refunds will not be issued if you chose not to test.

Your day 7 or day 13 tests will be automatically scheduled based on your day of arrival. Around 2 days before the test is due you will receive a call from a member of the Travel Tracker team to advise you of the date and time of the test. Please remember to take your smart device with the Travel Tracker app on it to the testing centre on the day of your test.

Our team will be calling from a ‘number withheld’ or ‘private’ number so please accept calls if you are expecting information regarding a COVID-19 test. We will try to call you twice. If we do not get a response an email will be sent to the email associated with your Travel Tracker account. The email will confirm the date and time of your test.

If there is no response to phone calls or email, the Guernsey Border Agency will be advised and they will make contact with you to check that all is ok and to ensure that you take the necessary tests.

While travellers are not mandated to take any tests, anyone who declines testing will need to observe a mandatory 21 day self-isolation period regardless of which country they have come from.

If you are self-isolating with other people in your household, you will need to complete an online form which can be found at www.gov.gg/isolatetogether. This is to ensure that everyone is registered and offered a test, if required. 

Please note, if a traveller declines testing, any unvaccinated members of the traveller's household will also have to isolate for this 21 day period, unless they can be separated.

If you are required to have a Day 7 and/or Day 13 test, this will be scheduled through the Travel Tracker site. This will be a supervised self-administered swab at the East Arm testing facility. An email or text reminder will be sent to you to confirm the date, time and location of your test(s). Please do not attend at any other time. More information can be found on the ‘Day 7/13 Testing’ webpage. 

Any breach of the Bailiwick's self-isolation rules can result in a fine of up to £10,000

If you are self-isolating with other people in your household, you will need to complete an online form which can be found at www.gov.gg/isolatetogether. This is to ensure that everyone is registered and offered the necessary test appointments.

When travelling into and out of the Bailiwick, passengers will need to wear a face covering 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 face covering will be provided at the airport or port.

In a small contained environment such as the cabin of a plane, the use of a face covering 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 covering does not remove the need to practice good respiratory hygiene. You must not travel if you have any of the following symptoms:

• New and severe fatigue
• New muscle ache for no obvious reason
• Headache (sinus pain, pain around eyes)
• Loss of smell/taste
• Sore throat
• Fever (high temperature, rigors, chills, can’t get warm)
• Shortness of breath, chest tightness
• Continuous new cough
• Children and Over 80s– loose stool, mild fever, not themselves with a cough presenting later

Instructions for putting on a mask:

• Before putting on a 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 your travel unless instructed to do so by the crew
• 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

Aurigny exempts the following groups from wearing a face covering:

• Children under the age of eleven;
• Those with a valid reason supported by:
  • A medical certificate;
  • An exemption document from the UK government website – see here; or
  • A sunflower lanyard.

Face masks or face coverings should be secured to the face without being held. Coverings such as scarves, snoods, balaclavas or any similar items aren't acceptable for travel and will not be permitted. 

A religious face covering which covers the nose mouth and chin is acceptable.

What will happen when you arrive in Guernsey will depend on whether you are a blue channel passenger described above or if the previous country and region categories apply to you.

Passengers who are not in the blue channel travel category will be required to sign a legal acknowledgement of self-isolation form on arrival. These may be provided to passengers at check-in before departure, otherwise they will be provided on arrival.

Where a person fails to complete Travel Tracker, including where he or she is reasonably suspected to have provided false or misleading information or documents in connection with that requirement, that person may be detained until he or she complies with the requirement and any other screening requirements that the Medical Officer of Health may impose.

When you arrive in Guernsey your onward travel options to your final destination will be different depending on whether you are in the “blue channel” travel category or not.

Onward travel for blue channel passengers:

• Please ensure that you have transport organised to take you to your accommodation. 
• You may use any transport method to get you to your final destination after leaving the port, including boarding a bus, taking a taxi, cycling or walking. This will include travellers with under 12s, but not when travelling with 12-17 year olds that are required to isolate on arrival.
• To board a bus or take a taxi you may be requested by the operator to show them your Travel Tracker so they can confirm your travel status.
• Taxi availability at the time of your arrival cannot be guaranteed so please ensure that you pre-book to avoid delays to your journey. 
• Please note that buses will not be accepting cash payments at this time.

Onward travel for passengers who are not in the blue channel travel category (who are required to self-isolate immediately on arrival):

• Please ensure that you have transport organised to take you to your accommodation. Bicycles or buses are not a suitable method of transport to self-isolation. Walking is also not a suitable mode of transport to self-isolation.
• It is recommended that you use your own vehicle wherever possible for onward travel to your destination to begin the mandatory self-isolation period.
• Where this is not possible, a friend or family member may collect you provided you sit in the rear of the vehicle, you continue to wear a mask, the windows are kept open and the vehicle is cleaned after use with detergent/water or suitable detergent/disinfectant wipes.
• Hire cars may be used so long as they stay at your self-isolation address unused for at least 72 hours and have a full valet clean before re-hire.

• If there is no alternative, a taxi can be used. 
  • Taxi availability at the time of your arrival cannot be guaranteed so please ensure that you pre-book to avoid considerable delays to your journey. Please also note that not all taxis at the port taxi ranks may be accepting passengers who are not in the blue channel travel category. A taxi operator may request to see your travel status through your Travel Tracker before accepting the fare.
  • Those who travel together in a taxi should only include those who will be self-isolating together. Taxis should not be ‘shared’ between people self-isolating in different locations.  Please note, taxi fares from the airport may be more than the standard rate – please check with the operator when booking what your fare will be.

• Passengers must continue to wear 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. Do not stop to shop for groceries etc on the way.

Please note that buses and bicycles cannot be used as a means of transport to your self-isolation address. Walking also cannot be used as a means of transport to your self-isolation address.

We understand that you may have friends or relatives who wish to greet you on your arrival. However, as you are required to self-isolate, please ask them to do this from a distance, either waving to you from the airport viewing gallery or by the viewing platform or side of the harbour. There should be no physical contact, such as handshakes, hugs or kisses.

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.

It is strongly recommended that you 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: covid19.gov.gg/support/protect.

If you are leaving self-isolation for a test at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, you should follow the same guidance with regard to transport.

All children/young people and education staff who travel into the Bailiwick and wish to enter an educational setting within 14 days of their arrival will need to have a PCR test and receive a negative result from this, 48 hours or less, before they enter that educational setting. Where this requirement is not met by any scheduled Day 1 or Day 7 testing, an additional test should be requested via www.gov.gg/returntoeducation. These tests are free of charge.

Although the UK may allow for travel to certain destinations, it does not mean those countries will let you in.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FO) provides guidance for British people travelling abroad, and this is key for travel insurance and other holiday regulations. If you travel to a country where you aren’t supposed to go, then this will invalidate your insurance.  If you have booked somewhere and the advice changes before you leave, you may be entitled to a refund.

You should read the information carefully as some advice overlaps.

Information regarding travel to, from and through the UK is available at: covid19.gov.gg/guidance/travel/transit.

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