Masks will be needed for new arrivals

Saturday 30 May 2020

From today, anyone flying into the Bailiwick will be asked to wear a mask from when they go through security at Southampton Airport until they arrive at their intended destination to isolate for two weeks when they get here.

Previously this wasn't needed, but now non-essential travel is allowed, Dr Nicola Brink has said masks should be worn to reduce the risk of transmitting covid-19 if anyone contracts it while in the UK or elsewhere.

It won't be compulsory to wear a mask but the Director of Public Health said they should be worn.

"We've got no plans to make it compulsory but we are strongly encouraging people," she said.

"We're particularly interested in travel to the Bailiwick because that's a risk. As far as we know, we haven't had any new cases for the last 29 days, so it's that travel from outside - in and out of the Bailiwick - that we're particularly interested in."

Previously Dr Brink hasn't endorsed wearing masks in public saying they are only effective is used properly all the time. She now says they offer benefits when travelling on aeroplanes as we try and keep the virus out of the Bailiwick now we've reached no active cases and a month with no new confirmed cases.

"You're in a confined space with no natural ventilation so those are the specific risk factors that we're looking at. 

Pictured: Dr Nicola Brink and the Head of Bailiwick Law Enforcement, Ruari Hardy, both appeared in a public briefing yesterday. 

"We're looking at travel in and out of an area, in other words the UK, that has ongoing community transmission of the virus that causes covid-19 and the second thing is you're concentrating people in an area with no natural ventilation. Prior to us widening the ability of people to travel there were far fewer people on the aeroplanes, but what we are anticipating is there are going to be more people on the aeroplanes."

Anyone flying from Guernsey to Alderney will also have to wear a mask because of the increased likelihood of someone from the UK moving from one island to the other. 

A higher maximum level of fine has also been set for anyone who breaks the mandatory 14 days self isolation rule when they arrive in the Bailiwick.

Bailiwick Law Enforcement Officers have the power to arrest anyone breaching the isolation period and the courts can then fine them up to £10,000.