CCA reviewing impact of England's covid crisis

Tuesday 22 December 2020

The Civil Contingencies Authority is due to meet this morning to review the latest information about the new strain of the corona virus that has emerged in the South of England.

This strain appears to spread more quickly, and while Public Health are "continually monitoring" the situation, there is currently no evidence that the strain causes a higher mortality rate, or that it has an impact on the efficacy of vaccinations.

Following the UK’s recent changes to their local restrictions, Public Health have issued a statement regarding how this might impact the Bailiwick.

“Our current self-isolation and testing requirements have served us well in managing the detection of Covid-19 in the Bailiwick,” said a spokesperson. 

“We have no current evidence of community seeding in the Bailiwick. In order to keep detecting cases and preventing community spread, we would ask anyone who is travelling into the Bailiwick to take the test on day 1, and also take up the offer of the day 13 test.

Pictured: Currently any traveller coming to Guernsey from the UK has to self-isolate for 14 days.

“The day 13 test is important as it identifies people who have incubated the virus whilst in self-isolation with no symptoms. This final ‘belt and braces’ check ensures the virus is contained and the risk of community seeding is removed.”

Public Healthis also reminding islanders and travellers to follow all of the necessary guidance and requirements for self-isolation, which is the Bailiwick’s best line of defence against the virus, which has taken hold of our sister Channel Island in recent weeks. 

Following the CCA’s meeting, there will be a media briefing at 13:00 to discuss the evidence and whether any changes to the current restrictions need to be made.