General Travel Information

On Friday 8th January, it was announced that only essential travel into the Bailiwick should take place. Essential travel means:

• for a compassionate purpose, including fulfilling a legal obligation,
• to receive medical treatment,
• to undertake essential business that cannot be transacted remotely,
• to attend school, university or other further education, or
• for permanent Bailiwick residents, to return home if they are currently off-Island,
• to travel for the purposes of critical work, as an approved critical worker (in line with the existing critical worker application process).

Essential travel does not include travel:

• to visit friends and family based in the Bailiwick, or
• to work in the Bailiwick if that work is not critical work and approved through the critical worker application process.

Only essential travel into the Bailiwick can take place. Therefore, you can only travel into the Bailiwick:

• for a compassionate purpose, including fulfilling a legal obligation,
• to receive medical treatment,
• to undertake essential business that cannot be transacted remotely,
• to attend school, university or other further education, or
• for permanent Bailiwick residents, to return home if they are currently off-Island,
• to travel for the purposes of critical work, as an approved critical worker (in line with the existing critical worker application process).

This does not include visiting friends and family based in the Bailiwick or to work in the Bailiwick if that work is not critical work and approved through the critical worker application process.

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. Please see this here.

Everyone arriving into the Bailiwick from Monday 26 October, including private vessels and aircraft, will need to register their journey on the Travel Tracker. The exemptions to this are those who have had a critical worker, medical or compassionate permit or business tunnel application approved.

Find out more information about the Travel Tracker, and to create your account, please go to https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/travel/travel-tracker.

Travellers are asked to take a test for COVID-19 on arrival at the port. This will be a self-swab undertaken at the airport or harbour. The Travel Tracker will then be used to register the test, by scanning the barcode on the tube.

Before leaving the port, travellers will need to show their ID and sign the self-isolation acknowledgement form. They must then go directly to the location where they will be self-isolating.

In general, travellers are expected to arrange their own travel for their test, either using their own private transport or a taxi.

The Bailiwick of Guernsey has achieved consistent, sustained control of the virus that causes COVID-19, but it remains vulnerable to re-introduction, particularly while surrounding jurisdictions are experiencing high prevalence rates of infection.

The testing programme for travellers has been developed to mitigate the risk of reintroduction of COVID-19 with the dual aims of:

• Detecting more infections in travellers before they can be spread to the community; and
• Achieving early detection of any escaped cases/clusters, which can be targeted with the test/trace/isolate processes to interrupt any ongoing transmission and snuff out outbreaks before they lead to widespread community transmission.

To help find and extinguish any ‘missed’ infections and thereby stop the virus taking hold in the islands, end of isolation testing on Day 13 is being offered to travellers. This is to detect late presenting infections and is in line with ECDC guidance.

Everyone arriving from Category 4 regions and countries is now required to self-isolate until they have received a negative result from a day 1 and a day 13 test. If you decline a day 1 or a day 13 test, you will have to self-isolate for 21 days. Those who choose to self-isolate with someone who has travelled to the Bailiwick will also have to adhere to the same requirement.

If anyone in your household does not agree to have a Day 13 test or, having agreed, does not have a Day 13 test, the whole household must continue to self-isolate until the end of the 21 day period, even if some members of the household receive a negative result from their Day 13 test. 

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 day 13 test. 

Children under 12 who travel from a Category 4 country or region will also have to be tested on day 13 if they intend to return to a school, pre-school, childcare or nursery setting before 21 days of self-isolation are up. 

Where a household have decided to self-isolate together, children can only return to a school pre-school or nursery setting once ALL members of that household bubble have received a negative test result from a test undertaken on day 13 or later.

These changes are applicable to all those who arrived from 8th December and are currently in self-isolation. 

You will be called by the Scheduling Team to arrange a test either at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital or the Mignot Memorial Hospital in Alderney. You do not need to call the team to arrange this for yourself.

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

Those who receive a negative day 13 test result can leave self-isolation immediately, though those tested as part of a family or group will have to wait for each member to receive a negative test result. Conditions of participation will be provided to those who take part.

Whilst there is benefit to travellers of taking a day 13 test, it presents a significant benefit to the community by picking up late presenting infections before the end of the 14 day self-isolation period.

Please note that Critical Workers must follow the requirements set out in their exemption paperwork. This may include additional COVID tests.

Self-isolation is separating yourself from physical contact with the rest of the community (including those who you live with, where possible) for a specified period of time.

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

Wherever possible, you should self-isolate on your own or within your travel party if you have all travelled together. If you are self-isolating on your own, you should stay in a well-ventilated room with a window to outside that can be opened and keep the door closed. All meals should be prepared by someone who is not self-isolating, delivered to your room (ideally on a tray) and you should not collect the food until the other person is at least two metres away from the door.

If you are unable to self-isolate away from other members of your household, you will all need to self-isolate. The risk to the other household members, especially those who are elderly or have underlying health conditions, should be considered before making this decision. In this circumstance, you will need to inform the booking team of this when they call you to arrange your test. While this is acceptable, all of those taking part in self-isolation must be aware of the requirements and the potential that if one of them is found to test positive for COVID-19, all of those self-isolating together will be contacts of the positive case and will therefore need to self-isolate for a further two weeks, and possibly longer if they too become infected with the virus.

More information on self-isolation, including on what you can and cannot do, is available at https://covid19.gov.gg/support/protect.

When you arrive in Guernsey:

• 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.
• 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 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. Only one passenger is permitted per journey, unless it is a returning couple/family and they are going to self-isolate together. A list of taxi operators currently doing arrival pick-ups can be found in the download below. 
• 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 bicycles and buses 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 in self-isolation, 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.

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.

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

Due to social distancing guidelines, and space constraints in the landside arrivals hall, Guernsey Ports is discouraging family/friends to greet students in the passenger terminal buildings at airports or the harbour.

Family/friends collecting passengers and students by car from Guernsey Airport will need to park in the main carpark, (parking will be free for the duration of collection). It is recommended that only one driver should collect passengers from the airports or harbours.

Taxis can be booked in advance – guidance for transport to self-isolation can be found on https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/travel/general

Make sure you social distance your vehicle with at least one free car space distance.

Stay in your vehicle, if you have a smart phone monitor arrivals on the airport or harbour arrivals and departure web pages (www.airport.gg/www.harbours.gg). Use the phone to communicate with relatives’ friends or loved ones until they are in the vehicle.

Dependant on the number of passengers on the flight, where they are in the queue, luggage collection and test facility procedures, there will be some delay for passengers to come through. In some cases, this may take up to 90 minutes, so we ask for your patience.

Whilst we understand this may be a long wait we ask that you arrive in good time. This is to ensure students are not in the terminal building waiting to be collected. This also reduces the risks to all other airport users.

At Guernsey Airport, airport attendants will guide students and passengers to the main car park.

Prior to students and passengers arriving at your vehicle, consider wearing a facemask. Please adhere to social distancing guidelines. Passengers and students must wear a mask until they reach their final destination – their place of self-isolation.

Unless you are self-isolating with any arrivals please do not hug or kiss. Once isolation has been completed, hug as much as you like!

Further information on self-isolation can be found on the States of Guernsey’s website: https://covid19.gov.gg/support/protect

Let students and other passengers place their own luggage in the vehicle. If help is required, please put on gloves and assist. However, remove gloves or sanitise your hands afterwards. Place any used gloves securely in a plastic bag and dispose of properly.

Distance yourself in the vehicle as far as practicable possible, students and other passengers should be in the rear with windows open for the drive home.

Keep all masks on until you reach your final place of isolation. 

Disinfect all touch points on the vehicle after your journey.

Enhanced passive follow-up means the person: 

• cannot go to indoor venues such as restaurants (including those offering al fresco dining), clubs, cafes, pubs, gyms, swimming pools, theatres or cinemas
• can only go to indoor shops for the purpose of buying essentials such as food or toiletries
• must not attend any gathering of more than 10 people
• if they attend any gatherings of fewer than 10 people, it should be in a room exclusively used by that group with controlled toilet facilities and a record should be kept of those attending for 14 days
• cannot use public transport, unless it is a taxi with the appropriate mitigation in place to protect the driver
• if they work in public facing roles (i.e. retail assistants, receptionists, teachers etc) cannot return to work while under enhanced passive follow-up.  Other workers should inform their employer to ensure they carry out a risk assessment and put in place and necessary measures.  Children in enhanced passive follow-up cannot go to school
• must at all times be vigilant for symptoms, however mild, of COVID-19; must report any such symptoms immediately to Public Health; 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, optometrists 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.

Anyone in enhanced passive follow-up is strongly advised to where a facemask and practice social distancing when they are outside their home, including at work. They should also always observe good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.

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 Public Health; 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, optometrists 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.

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.

In terms of school attendance, any student who has received a negative COVID-19 test result from their day 7 test (Category 2 countries and regions) and moved into the 7 day passive follow-up phase is able to attend school.

When travelling 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 or port.

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:

• 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:

• 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 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 mask:

• 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.

Guernsey Airport Terminal Opening Hours (local time)

Weekdays: 05:30 to 21:00
Saturday: 05:30 to 19:15
Sunday: 07:30 to 21:00

Guernsey Airport Operating Hours (local time)

Weekdays: 06:30 to 21:00
Saturday: 06:30 to 21:00
Sunday: 06:30 to 21:00

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

Alderney Airport Terminal Opening Hours (local time)

Weekdays: 07:30 to 18:30
Saturday: 07:30 to 18:30
Sunday: 09:00 to 18:30

Alderney Airport Operating Hours (local time)

Monday to Thursday: 07:40 to 18:30
Friday to Sunday: 07:40 to 19:30

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

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. More information on current travel self-isolation requirements can be found at https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/travel/phase5c.

Please ensure you have read the full guidance document available below. 

Travel to the UK from the Bailiwick of Guernsey

International arrivals into the UK are required to provide proof of a negative coronavirus test (taken within 72hrs before departure) and then to self-isolate for a period of 10 days.  However, if you are travelling to the UK from the Bailiwick and have only been in the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands) for the last 10 days, you will not be required to provide proof of a negative coronavirus test or to self-isolate on arrival in the UK.  You will also not be required by the UK authorities to complete a form to provide journey and contact details before travelling to the UK.

You will have to follow the Covid-19 rules which apply to the part of the UK that you are visiting.

You will be required to self-isolate on your return to the Bailiwick.  Information about the rules on essential travel only to the Bailiwick can be found here.

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

Transit through the UK while travelling to the Bailiwick of Guernsey

International arrivals into the UK are required to provide proof of a negative coronavirus test (taken within 72hrs before departure) and then to self-isolate for a period of 10 days.  They do not have to do so if they are travelling or returning from a country in the relevant list of travel corridor exemptions (all travel corridors into England are currently suspended until further notice).  At the time of publication (19 January 2021), there are some differences between those lists of countries depending on whether you arrive in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales. There is also 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. The UK’s COVID-19 border measures can change at short notice so it is recommended that you check the latest UK information before travel (bearing in mind the place of your arrival into the UK).

Bailiwick residents returning to the Bailiwick from abroad and transiting through the UK who are not exempt because of the reasons mentioned above will have to self-isolate (regardless of any symptoms) for the time that they are in the UK, but they do not have to stay in the UK for the full 10 days.

If you are in the category of people who must self-isolate on arrival, 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 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. On arrival in the UK, you will need to follow the UK’s self-isolation rules which 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.  

You will be required to self-isolate on your arrival in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.  Information about the rules on essential travel only to the Bailiwick can be found here.

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 symptoms that you should be aware of are:

• 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

If you do start to experience any symptoms, no matter how mild, please contact the Clinical Helpline by calling 01481 756938 or 01481 756969.

If you feel very unwell, phone 999 and tell the operator of your symptoms. Please do not visit your GP or the Emergency Department at the hospital unannounced.

If you have no transport of your own and cannot access a lift to the testing centre at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital from a member of your household and have no symptoms of COVID-19 (a new continuous cough, a sore throat, muscle aches, headache/sinus pain, a fever, a high temperature, shortness of breath) you can use a taxi. 

When booking, you must inform the taxi company that you are booking to go for a COVID-19 test at the hospital drive-through. You must also: 

• Wear a face mask throughout the journey
• Sanitise your hands before entering the taxi
• Keep the car windows down throughout the journey
• Follow other instructions given by the taxi driver
• Sit in the back seat behind the driver

On arrival at the PEH the taxi driver should drive into car park C where they will be greeted by a porter and directed into the drive through testing centre. Both passenger and driver should remain in the vehicle until directed otherwise.

When the taxi is in the testing facility the person requiring a test will be asked to step out of the taxi and informed where to stand/sit for the test to take place. The individual being tested must keep their mask in place until instructed to remove it by a member of the testing team.

Once the swab has been taken the individual must replace their mask and sanitise their hands. They should then get back into the taxi and continue to follow the above guidance until they are back at their place of residence.

The States of Guernsey do not endorse any particular company. A list of taxi operators currently doing testing facility journeys can be found in the download below.

When you arrive in Guernsey:

• 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.
• 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 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. Only one passenger is permitted per journey, unless it is a returning couple/family and they are going to self-isolate together. A list of taxi operators currently doing arrival pick-ups can be found in the download below. 
• 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 bicycles and buses 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 in self-isolation, 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.

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.

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

Everyone arriving into the Bailiwick from Monday 26 October, including private vessels and aircraft, will need to register their journey on the Travel Tracker. The exemptions to this are those who have had a critical worker, medical or compassionate permit or business tunnel application approved.

Find out more information about the Travel Tracker, and to create your account, please go to https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/travel/traveltracker

Travellers are asked to take a test for COVID-19 on arrival at the port. This will be a self-swab undertaken at the airport or harbour. The Travel Tracker will then be used to register the test, by scanning the barcode on the tube.

Travellers will be able to take a test on arrival with mandatory self-isolation for 21 days. In order to leave self-isolation early, travellers must take a day 1 test on arrival and a Day 13 test and receive a negative result for both. If you decline to take a day 1 or day 13 test you will have to self-isolate for 21 days. Children under 12 will continue to only need a negative test on day 13. 

Before leaving the port, travellers will need to show their ID and sign the self-isolation acknowledgement form. They must then go directly to the location where they will be self-isolating.

In general, travellers are expected to arrange their own travel for their test, either using their own private transport or a taxi.

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.

Wherever possible, you should self-isolate on your own or within your travel party if you have all travelled together. However, if you choose to, or need to, self-isolate with other members of your household who have not travelled with you, 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 day 13 test where applicable. Please do this in conjunction with your Travel Tracker journey. 

A list of self-isolation accommodation providers can be found below.

More information on self-isolation can be found here. 

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.

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 need to find alternative accommodation, you can call Public Health Services on 01481 725241. They will be able to advise you of your options for alternative 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 find this accommodation yourself. Please note: if you have already registered your self-isolation address on the travel tracker, you can amend this, by completing an online form which can be found here. Exceptional circumstances can be, but are not limited to:

• A change in travel plans due to weather leading to a delay in arrival;
• A change in travel history requiring longer self-isolation; or
• The self-isolation address no longer being available.

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.