Herm and Sark cancel visits

Monday 23 March 2020

Herm has shut its port to visitors, while Sark Shipping is planning to run just one passenger rotation this week for essential travel only.

Both islands took action after Guernsey's number of confirmed covid-19 cases jumped from 2 to 20 over the weekend.

"It is with a very heavy heart that, following advice and guidance from the States of Guernsey and the Director of Medical Health, and for the protection of our loyal guests and island community, we regret to announce that access to Herm will now be restricted until further notice," a spokesperson for the island posted on social media this morning.

"In agreement with Herm Travel Trident, all sailings will be postponed and we respectfully ask that no boaters visit the island until restrictions have been lifted. 

"We are extremely mindful that, even with social distancing measure, visitors will be put at further risk by being in close contact with one another, and your health and safety is our primary concern."

Anyone with a hotel or self-catering reservation up to 30 April 2020 is asked to contact their travel insurers in the first instance. Any queries can be directed to reservations@herm.com.

"The Herm management team and residents would like to sincerely thank you for your continued patience and understanding," the spokesperson added. "We have been extremely grateful for the co-operation, respect and support shown by our guests so fat and truly humbled by the kindness, compassion and genuine care being displayed in our local communities and so many communities around the world." 

Meanwhile, Sark Shipping has released a significantly restricted travel timetable. 

The island began to shut down last week, when Stocks Hotel closed its doors just one week into the 2020 season.

"We're very cautious," said hotel Director, Paul Armorgie. "Ever since the crisis arrived, we have been following a strict regime of alcohol gels and deep cleaning etc. We've been doing the precautionary stuff and monitoring the excellent gov.gg portal.

"As a result of that, we took the really difficult decision to close the hotel with immediate effect.

"The plan is to review the situation towards the end of May. Then, we will look to try and reopen in June if it has improved."

The hotel's staff - some of whom had recently travelled to the island for the spring and summer season - were given a choice as to whether they stayed in the island or returned home.

Pictured: Stocks Hotel.

"Some have chosen to go to be with their families, but others have decided to stay," continued Mr Armorgie. "We've offered them accommodation and food, as well as a bit of pocket money in return for jobs in the garden. We're between a rock and a hard place because we don't want to lose people but we also don't want to mess them around.

"We've done it with a very heavy heart, but to do nothing was not an option."

Further information and advice on the virus is available here.

Pictured top: Sark and Herm.