100 calls and 20 visits a day

Tuesday 28 July 2020

The Guernsey Border Agency has spoken about the ways in which they enforce self-isolation requirements, following the sentencing of several individuals found to have breached them.

According to Rebecca Falla, Guernsey Border Agency Surveyor, anyone who arrives at either the harbour or airport, through private or commercial means, has to fill out a data sheet with contact details, both for contact tracing purposes and to allow checks to be carried out.

The datasheet also contains a legal notice which compels individuals to self-isolate, and outlines what is required of them during that period. Travellers are then asked to immediately go to their place of self-isolation. 

Regular check-ins are made, not only to check that requirements are being met, but to ensure the wellbeing of those isolating. Anyone experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 is referred for testing.

Fines totalling £24,000 have been issued by the Courts to people who break self-isolation

This is not a drill. This is the fight against Coronavirus

Guernsey Border Agency Surveyor Rebecca Falla explains the arrivals process pic.twitter.com/RBdEdzPipd

— Guernsey Police (@GuernseyPolice) July 28, 2020

If anyone is suspected of breaching isolation, the Border Agency investigates and interviews the person in question. If they conclude that a breach has occurred, details are then passed on to law enforcement.

Check-ins are unannounced and carried out either by phone or in-person visits. The Guernsey Fire Service assist with visits, and a task force set up by the States of Guernsey assist with phone calls.

Last week, a Jerseyman was found to be in breach of self-isolation requirements after an unannounced visit was paid to his residence. 

Ms Falla estimates that 100 phone calls and 20 visits are made each day.

“Any form of isolation, as advised by Public Health, is a very important thing,” said Ms Falla. “It is important that they are taken seriously.”

Click HERE to read more about three individuals who have been sentenced following a breach of the self-isolation requirements.