Self-isolation

From 00:01 Thursday 17 February 2022,

• Positive COVID-19 cases are no longer legally mandated to self-isolate; 
• Public Health requests that you stay at home if you are unwell

Business owners and managers are being asked to support and encourage staff to continue doing the right thing by staying at home if they are unwell, or if they have tested positive for COVID-19, as we move forward to live responsibly with the virus.

As we move forward into a new phase without legal restrictions in place, if we’re to maintain that positive position it is absolutely essential that islanders’ commitment to do the right thing is maintained – particularly around staying at home if unwell. We need this mantra to become part-and-parcel of our everyday culture, not just now but into the future.

Making sensible and responsible decisions to stay at home and not spread your germs when you’re unwell needs to become the new norm. It needs to be socially unacceptable to put others at risk by going to work, events or anywhere where you’ll be in close proximity with other people, if you’re unwell.

Other measures are also important. These include testing before visiting a vulnerable person or attending a crowded indoor gathering and good hand and respiratory etiquette. And, of course, of paramount importance is the continued availability of, and the fantastic engagement of islanders with, the COVID-19 vaccination and boosting programme.    

Returning to work or school

Staying at home when you are unwell needs to become ingrained in the Bailiwick's culture. Everyone, whether it is as friends, family or colleagues, has a role to play in encouraging people who are unwell to stay at home rather than knowingly potentially spreading illnesses to others.

Do not attend work or school if you are unwell or if you have a fever.  You should stay home and call your GP if you still have a fever. If you are concerned about any other severe or persistent symptoms please seek advice from a health practitioner. You can then return to work or school, subject to any requirements your employer might have. Please discuss with your employer before you attend work so that they may do an individual risk assessment before your return.

If someone has, for example, a lingering cough, they should seek advice from a health practitioner before they return to work. This is good infection prevention control at any time, but is particularly important whilst the Bailiwick continues to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence proves that this advice could reduce the potential spread of respiratory illness by 60%.

Diarrhoea and vomiting – in these cases a person must be symptom free for 48 hours before they return to work or school.