General Travel Information

The situation regarding COVID-19 is changing and evolving daily. This means that any restrictions placed on travel may change with little notice. You must be aware that there may be ramifications if you test positive, are identified as a close contact of a positive case, or self-isolation requirements change at short notice. 

Before arranging to travel to and from the Bailiwick passengers should consider the following:

• 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 for 14 days 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.

Passengers arriving with a commercial airline or ferry operator will be provided with a form to complete before they land. In that form, they will be asked to list the countries or regions they have visited in the 7 days before their travel to Guernsey.

When they arrive, they will need to present this form along with their ID to a Guernsey Border Agency representative.

In most cases the Guernsey Border Agency will be able to confirm to the visitor if they are eligible for the option of testing on day 7 of their self-isolation, or if they must self-isolate for a full 14 days.

In any case where the visitor’s travel history is unclear or further information is required, they will be informed that they need to self-isolate for 14 days.  The Guernsey Border Agency will then review their information further. Where those individuals are found to be eligible for testing on day 7, they will be contacted directly. 

Please note that these measures are in place to protect the health and wellbeing of the Bailiwick of Guernsey’s community, however they may mean it takes more time to make your way through arrivals.  We would like to thank visitors in advance for their patience.

After providing the relevant information to the Guernsey Border Agency, they can then leave the airport or harbour to travel directly to the location where they will be self-isolating.  Details on this are included further below.

Those arriving into the Bailiwick of Guernsey on a private aircraft or vessel, will also be required to fill out a form and provide the same information on arrival to a Guernsey Border Agency representative.

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

Travellers will be contacted between 24 and 48 hours after their test to be informed of the results.  If the test result is negative, they may leave their self-isolation but must observe the ‘passive follow-up’ rules until day 14 after their arrival.  If the test is positive they must remain in self-isolation and Public Health Services will provide them with further guidance.

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.

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 his or her 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 his or her 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 or dentist) of his or her 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 and moved into the seven-day passive follow-up phase is able to attend school. 

Please note that Alderney joined Phase 5b on Friday 4th September 2020 and therefore, people can now travel to Alderney on receipt of a negative result. 

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.

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 and 90s – 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.

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/phase5b.

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

When you arrive in Guernsey, 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, 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. A list of taxi operators currently doing arrival pick-ups can be found here. 

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

If you are leaving self-isolation for a test on day 7 at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, you should follow the same guidance with regard to transport.

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.  The companies below are listed in alphabetical order and all have agreed to offer this service at the time of publication. This information is provided to assist those who may not be familiar with the taxi companies available in Guernsey. 

• A&S Taxis - 07781 125544
• Andy Walford (AJ Taxis) -  07781 415100
• Barry Harris (Bazzas Taxis) -  07781 169700 or 07781 129333
• Ben Prigent (Pridge's Taxi) - 07781 449229
• Colin Bush (Busheys Taxis) -  07781 159799
• Executive Car Services - 07781 155545
• Glen Pontin (Guernsey Taxis) -  07781 154254
• Ian Vaudin (Donkey Taxis) -  07839 747667
• Island Taxis -  01481 700500
• John Bishop (Johns Taxis) -  07781 112048
• Kevin Le Tissier -  07781 103135
• Linda O'Meara - 07781 111218
• Peter Blondel (ABCAB) -  07781 134555
• Prestige Taxi Services -  07781 115522
• Sally Falla (Taxi Sally) - 07781 137487
• Sean Harvey (Harveys Taxis) - 07781 406222
• Steve Bichard -  07781 133828

Travel to the UK from the Bailiwick of Guernsey

Some people arriving into the UK are required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days.  However, if you are travelling to the UK from the Bailiwick and have been in the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands) for the last 14 days, you will not be required 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 be required to self-isolate on your return to the Bailiwick.

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

Transit through the UK while travelling to the Bailiwick of Guernsey

People arriving into the UK are required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days, unless they are travelling or returning from a country in the relevant list of travel corridor exemptions.  At the time of publication (10 July 2020), 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 have changed since they were first introduced 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 as long as 14 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 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.

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.

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 and 90s – 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.

There are still limited connections to Guernsey. Potential travellers will need to check any current pre-departure requirements in their home jurisdiction carefully, 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.

There are also self-isolation requirements when arriving in the Bailiwick, and if you travel to the Bailiwick by plane or boat 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.

Passengers arriving with a commercial airline or ferry operator will be provided with a form to complete before they land.  In that form, they will be asked to list the countries they have visited in the 7 days before their travel to Guernsey.

When they arrive, they will need to present this form along with their ID to a Guernsey Border Agency representative.

In most cases the Guernsey Border Agency will be able to confirm to the visitor if they are eligible for the option of testing on day 7 of their self-isolation, or if they must self-isolate for a full 14 days.

In any case where the visitor’s travel history is unclear or further information is required, they will be informed that they need to self-isolate for 14 days.  The Guernsey Border Agency will then review their information further. Where those individuals are found to be eligible for testing on day 7, they will be contacted directly. 

Please note that these measures are in place to protect the health and wellbeing of the Bailiwick of Guernsey’s community, however they may mean it takes more time to make your way through arrivals.  We would like to thank visitors in advance for their patience.

After providing the relevant information to the Guernsey Border Agency, they can then leave the airport or harbour to travel directly to the location where they will be self-isolating.  Details on this are included further below.

Those arriving into the Bailiwick of Guernsey on a private aircraft or vessel, will also be required to fill out a form and provide the same information on arrival to a Guernsey Border Agency representative.

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

Travellers will be contacted between 24 and 48 hours after their test to be informed of the results.  If the test result is negative, they may leave their self-isolation but must observe the ‘passive follow-up’ rules until day 14 after their arrival.  If the test is positive they must remain in self-isolation and Public Health Services will provide them with further guidance.

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 inform the booking team of this when they call you to arrange your test.

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.

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.