Community's most pressing questions

All vaccination appointments are going ahead as scheduled. The Community Vaccination Centre (CVC) will open on Monday 25 January, at Beau Sejour, as planned. If you have an appointment please attend. It is strongly recommended that you wear a face covering while visiting the CVC.

With our enlarged testing facility at the PEH, we can carry out up to 1,000 tests a day. Results are usually turned around within 24 to 48 hours. 

You should only attend for a test if you have been instructed to do so. 

There are a number of different scenarios for why you may need to self-isolate and depending on your situation, you may or may not be able to leave if you get a negative result.  

1) If you are showing symptoms, however mild, you must self-isolate immediately and call the Clinical Helpline on 01481 756938 or 01481 756969 so that a test can be arranged.

Individuals who have been identified as a contact by the Contact Tracing Team and have been tested will need to self-isolate for 14 days from the last contact with the positive case even if the test is negative. 

If you have not been contact traced, or do not fall into one of the other scenarios, you can leave isolation on receipt of a negative result.

If you are contacted as part of a group or event, please see scenario 4. 

This requirement to self-isolate also applies to all that choose to self-isolate as a household.

2) Anyone that attended the Ship and Crown or Crow's Nest between 18th and 22nd January, you were asked to self-isolate for 14 days. This period is now over, so those that do not have symptoms can now leave isolation. However, please continue to be vigilant for symptoms. 

3) Anyone that attended the Festival of Dance between 19th and 22nd January were asked to self-isolate for 14 days. This period is now over, so those that do not have symptoms can now leave isolation. However, please continue to be vigilant for symptoms. 

4) If you have been contacted by the organiser of another event or gathering, or have received an email from Public Health informing you that a person at that event or gathering has tested positive and would have potentially infectious while attending this event or gathering, self-isolate immediately. 

Only if symptoms develop, call the Clinical Helpline on 01481 756938 or 01481 756969 so that a test can be arranged. Otherwise self-isolate for 14 days from the date of the event. 

This requirement to self-isolate also applies to all that choose to self-isolate as a household.

5) If you have been living or working with someone who has symptoms and who is waiting for a test, stay at home until you know that they have had a negative test.

If you are considered to be an essential worker, contact your line manager.

Contact the Clinical Helpline on 01481 756938 or 01481 756969 if symptoms develop.

This requirement to self-isolate also applies to all that choose to self-isolate as a household.

6) If you have had no known exposure to COVID-19 follow the rules and stay at home unless for one of the identified essential reasons.

7) If you have been told by the Contact Tracing Team to self-isolate, or you have received a letter saying that you need to self-isolate, go into self-isolation and follow the instructions provided by Public Health. This is mandatory self-isolation.

8) If you have recently travelled back to the Bailiwick you are also required to self-isolate. All countries and regions are classified as Category 4, and therefore you must self-isolate until you have received a negative result from a Day 1 and a Day 13 test. If you decline a Day 1 and 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 need to adhere to the same requirement. 

If you are self-isolating with other people in your household following travel, 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. 

In lockdown it is important that children feel secure and sticking to a routine is important. If children currently split their time between the households of both parents then this should continue provided it is safe to do so and that no-one is in self-isolation. Families will need to consider any possible risk for more vulnerable family members.

If shared custody arrangements cannot be maintained during lockdown because, for example, one parent is a frontline healthcare worker and could present a COVID risk to family members, alternative methods of keeping in touch should be used such as Facetime or Zoom.

We would advise essential workers to consider finding alternative childcare arrangements to using grandparents at this time, in keeping with our efforts to minimise contact between households. This is especially important for older people that might be of greater risk.

It is appreciated that this is difficult with fewer childcare options at this time. We would encourage you to speak with your employer to see how they can support and accommodate your needs. 

No, if you formed a support bubble when they came into effect with specific criteria then you won’t be able to change that bubble or bubble with any other additional household. A bubble must strictly take place between two households. An existing support bubble will become your general bubble during Stage 1.

Because members of these 'bubbled' households will be mixing, we ask that the bubble does not continue to move between the households while the unwell person is seeking advice from Public Health. The symptomatic person should call the Clinical Helpline for advice.

When it comes to partaking in outdoor recreation with other people there are a few options as follows:

• Do this with members of your household or bubble for up to 4 hours. There are no social distancing requirements when out with your household or bubble but face coverings are strongly recommended when leaving home;
• Attend an outdoor socially distanced gathering with a maximum of 5 people in total. When people who are not part of your household or bubble are involved, you will need to social distance and face coverings are strongly advised. These gatherings should not take place in a private garden;
• You can still go for a walk with a friend or family member from another household within your 4 hours recreational time, but the main things to remember are to keep a minimum of 2m social distancing at all times and to wear a face covering. You can meet with a maximum of 4 other people as long as the guidelines are followed.

Within reason, you can use your four hours however you feel is most beneficial to keeping you fit and well. But you should make every effort to stay safe and not take any risks. The clocks starts running as soon you leave your home, which means if you are driving somewhere to complete your recreation, that travelling time also counts towards the four hours. Wherever possible you should complete your recreation close to your home. We don’t want any unnecessary accidents.

You can go sea swimming with your household/bubble, or with a maximum of four other people, so long as you remain socially-distanced. Make every effort to stay safe and don’t take any risks.

Yes, as long as no more than 6 people are in each pool at any one time, and you maintain social distancing with others who are not in your household or bubble.

Please note that all changing rooms, toilets and buildings at the pools are still closed.

If you are not a professional dog walker, you can only walk dogs belonging to essential workers and vulnerable individuals who are shielding, so long as appropriate social distancing is upheld. We recommend the dog is left in a secure garden for you to collect and that you use your own lead or alternatively wear gloves while handling the dog.

Please note you cannot walk someone else's dog if they are in self-isolation.

Full details for dog walking guidance can be found on the Pets & Livestock page.

We know that people will generally feel concerned, and will feel a need to do something.  But please do not call or email unless you genuinely need to as this will help our teams work faster to keep the community safe.

We have different points of contact depending on the nature of your query and details of these are below: 

Possible contacts of a positive case

If you think you are the contact of a positive case, DO NOT call.  Contact tracers will contact you, if you are a genuine contact.

COVID-19 symptoms

If you have COVID-19 related symptoms please call the Clinical Helpline. Phone lines are busy at times but please wait and call back again.  Please do not call or email Public Health directly if you find these numbers are engaged.

Questions about lockdown rules and other non-clinical questions

If you have questions about what you can and can't do during lockdown, please contact the Non-Clinical Helpline. 

Emergency healthcare

If you need healthcare or treatment for another reason, please still contact your GP or call an ambulance or attend the Emergency Department as you normally would.

Financial support

If you need financial support for yourself, your family, your business or your employees, these details will be released during this week.  We will make a further announcement on Tuesday 26th January. 

Housing queries

Although the advise is to stay at home, we are aware that there are some circumstances where this may not be possible. If you have any questions or need further support about urgent housing issues, please email housinghelp@gov.gg or call 01481 756535. 

It is possible to move house at this time, but you should not receive help from anyone outside of your household or bubble, and a removal firm can help if they follow strict guidelines. More information about removal firm guidance here: https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/business/operate under ‘Removals’.

No. Dentists are currently only open for emergency appointments.

If you have been living or working with someone who has symptoms and who is waiting for a test, stay at home until you know that they have had a negative test. 

If you are considered to be an essential worker, contact your line manager. 

Contact the Clinical Helpline on 01481 756938 or 01481 756939 if symptoms develop. 

This guidance also applies to those who are self-isolating as a household. 

If you have been contacted by the organiser of an event, or have received an email from Public Health informing you that a person at the event they organised has tested positive and would have potentially infectious whilst attending this event, self-isolate immediately. 

Only if symptoms develop, call the Clinical Helpline on 01481 756938 or 01481 756939 so that a test can be arranged. Otherwise self-isolate for 14 days from the date of the event. 

This guidance also applies to those who are self-isolating as a household. 

Only non-public facing businesses can operate with a maximum of 5 workers indoors or 10 outdoors, with social distancing in place along with other important health and safety measures. Businesses able to operate within these guidelines also need to complete a notification form ahead of operating. More information available here: https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/business/operate

Yes, the Payroll Co-Funding scheme has been reinstated for businesses in both Guernsey and Alderney that are experiencing a significant downturn as a result of the lockdown restrictions. More information is available at: https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/business/payroll-scheme. 

Tradesmen will be unable to enter a public member’s household unless it is an emergency, such as making a property watertight, fixing leaks or restoring essential utilities such as running water, fuel or electricity supplies. For premises which are unoccupied (rather than the occupants have simply left for an hour or two), non-public facing workers can operate with a maximum of 5 workers indoors or 10 workers outdoors.

No. During self-isolation you must:

• Remain in your home, except for getting emergency medical care or to have a test swab taken.
• Not go to work, school or public areas, and do not use public transport until you have been told that it is safe to do so.
• Only use a taxi to travel home from the airport or harbour and to drive to the testing centre – further information is available below.
• Not open your door to anyone who comes to visit, whether they are dropping a delivery off or coming for a social visit.
• Ask for help if you require groceries, other shopping or medication.

More information on self-isolation is available at: https://covid19.gov.gg/support/protect. 

Whether you should be putting out your kerbside waste/recycling and how you should handle it is dependent on your circumstances.

Guidance for what to do under different scenarios is available at https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/household-waste

The guidance for using gardens and outside space depends on your circumstances. 

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 you must remain indoors for the whole period of your isolation and not go outside.

If you are self-isolating, have symptoms and are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test, you should stay inside until you have received your result. 

If you are self-isolating and don't have symptoms or have received a negative COVID-19 test result, you can use your garden/private outside space on your own. You must stay at least 2 metres from the edge of the garden and remain on your own property. Members of the household that are not self-isolating should NOT be outside with you.

During lockdown, some lone workers were able to return to work, and from Monday 22nd February, non-public facing businesses are able to operate with 5 workers indoors or 10 workers outdoors. This does not include the homes of customers or clients unless the exterior of the property is being worked on and the household members stay inside. Lone workers can continue as they are or they can use the maximum number of workers guidelines to link up with others to carry out certain jobs, socially distanced. Face coverings are also strongly recommended if doing this. If a lone worker chooses to start working with others, they need to fill in a notification form and ensure that they are following all of the guidelines here: https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/business/operate

From Saturday 13th February 2021, face coverings must be worn in certain specific indoor public spaces and on all public transport.

A Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 can be imposed if you enter or remain in the indoor public spaces concerned or travel on public transport without a face covering.

Indoor public spaces include but are not limited to:

• Shops
• Supermarkets
• Pharmacies
• Banks
• Post Offices
• Petrol Stations
• Airport Terminal
• Harbour Terminal
• GP Surgeries
• Princess Elizabeth Hospital
• Dental Surgeries
• Health Clinics and Allied Health Services
• Residential and Nursing Homes
• Crematoriums and Funeral Directors’ Premises

Face coverings will be worn in schools in line with advice provided by Public Health, which strongly recommends they be worn where appropriate by secondary age students and adults.

Face coverings are recommended for children over the age of 11 years old. Children of Primary School age who can tolerate wearing a mask should do so, but this is not essential. Children younger than 3 years old are not required to wear a mask.

Face coverings are not compulsory for children under the age of 12. However children of primary school age who can tolerate wearing a mask should do so where possible.

There are further exemptions to the requirement to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces, or whilst travelling on public transport and in all cases wearing will be subject to a reasonable excuse. These include:

• if a person cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
• if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause a person severe distress
• if a person needs to speak to or provide assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate, or if wearing a mask will cause distress to the person someone is assisting
• if asked to do so in court, by a judge, for the purpose of giving evidence or confirming identity
• if asked to do so in a bank, building society, or post office or by a relevant official (e.g. a police officer) for identification
• if asked to do so by shop staff or relevant employees for identification, for assessing health recommendations (for example by a pharmacist) or for age identification purposes, including when buying age restricted products such as alcohol
• in order to take medication

We are developing several mechanisms to help evidence that you qualify for one of the listed exemptions. We are working with the essential retail sector who will have stocks of sunflower lanyards for those who declare within those shops that they qualify by way of exemption.

We are also working on a printable exemption card that members of the community can carry if they wish to do so. This is in development and will be available ahead of Saturday’s implementation. There will also be an image that is sized appropriate for phones if people want to be able to display the card that way.

We are working with third sector partners also, who will be distributing different colour lanyards and advice to their members and service users.

Carrying a lanyard or proof of exemption card or badge is however a personal choice and is not required by law.

In the context of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, a face covering is something which safely covers the nose and mouth and can include a scarf, bandana, or hand-made cloth covering but these must securely fit round the side of the face. Face coverings are largely intended to protect others, not the wearer, against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission of virus that causes coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

A face covering does not include a face visor or shields because these are not considered to adequately cover the nose and mouth.