Following Jersey's lead would "come with compromises"

Wednesday 09 September 2020

Comparing Guernsey's travel restrictions with Jersey's more relaxed system is "not comparing apples with apples" according to our Chief Minister, who admitted there is still no set date for a move to Phase 5c.

The larger Channel Island reintroduced commercial travel on 3 July, with testing on arrival for all travellers.

Countries are categorised into groups, with many jurisdictions falling into the 'Green' group, meaning travellers don't need to isolate at all on their return, so long as their test result comes back negative.

Since the changes were brought in, the island has carried out more than 63,500 passenger tests, finding just 46 positive cases.

Pictured: Jersey's travel system splits countries into three different categories.

Meanwhile, Guernsey's travel restrictions remain strict by comparison, with a minimum of one week in isolation for all travellers, unless they're coming from the Isle of Man, which currently has an air bridge with the Bailiwick.

However, Deputies Gavin St Pier and Heidi Soulsby of the Civil Contingencies Authority are encouraging Guernsey people not to compare the two islands' approaches.

"Every jurisdiction needs to do what it thinks is right," said Chair of the Authority, Deputy St Pier. "You cannot easily compare any two jurisdictions. It is not comparing apples with apples.

"It is probably only with the benefit of hindsight when this thing is over and the studies are written that there will be an analysis of which strategy was right and what the consequences were for the economy and what the consequences were for the community. It's not just about the number of tests that are positive or negative, it's a more complex equation."

Since Friday 4 September, we have completed 3,868 more tests at our borders with 1 new positive identified from inbound travellers. pic.twitter.com/dojUeXIsgF

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) September 7, 2020

On-arrival testing is set to be introduced in Guernsey as part of Phase 5c of the exit from lockdown, but for now Deputy Soulsby believes most people "are quite happy with what we've got".

"Anywhere which has more open borders has more restrictions in its community; having to wear masks on public transport, social distancing in restaurants, schools with all manner of different precautions because of the greater risk of spread," she said. "We haven't got that. We've had events throughout the summer.

"If we do what Jersey do, that will come with compromises. I haven't heard that people want those compromises at the moment. I think most people are quite happy with what we've got.

"I don't think tourism in other jurisdictions has rocketed because of slightly open borders, frankly. We have done what we thought is best for the people of the Bailiwick and that's where we are now. We have to consider the actions we take now, based on the position we're at."

There are currently 13 active covid-19 cases in Jersey and one in Guernsey.