Select a region
Travellers from Category 4 jurisdictions including England and Jersey will have to self-isolate for 21 days if they refuse a day 13 test, under stricter new measures designed to combat Public Health concerns about the new strain of the corona virus that has emerged in the UK.
The Civil Contingencies Authority has reviewed the latest evidence, which indicates the new variant is "likely to be more transmissible" and "poses an increased risk to the community".
At a meeting this morning, the CCA agreed to a number of new measures which will come into effect immediately.
Those arriving from Category 4 regions and countries will be required to self-isolate until they receive a negative result from a day 13 test. If they decline to take a day 13 test they will have to self-isolate for 21 days.
Those who choose to self-isolate with someone who has travelled to the Bailiwick will also need to adhere to the same requirement for testing on day 13 or self-isolating for 21 days, even if they did not themselves travel. These changes are applicable to everyone currently in self-isolation who have not yet reached day 13.
Pictured: The current regional classifications on the States of Guernsey website.
Children under 12 who travel from a category 4 country or region will also have to be tested at day 13 if they intend to return to school, pre-school, childcare or nursery.
Dr Brink said there have been 23 mutations in the corona virus, although one new variant - in the spike protein of the virus - is causing particular concern.
"A new variant is something we have been expecting [and] it does appear to be about 70% more transmissible," she said.
“We’re still learning more about the new variant, but the evidence so far is enough that we know it needs to be taken seriously. Even one case brought into the Bailiwick that isn’t detected could pose a risk, and these new rules will help ensure we don’t find ourselves in that situation."
CCA Chairman Peter Ferbrache described the new measures as strict, but necessary.
“Our border restrictions have proven extremely effective to date in allowing us to stay in control of the virus and avoid the need for any on-island restrictions," he said. "But we must continue to be vigilant to any change in the nature of the threat posed by the coronavirus. This new strain appears to be significant change and one that requires stricter measures to ensure we are detecting and managing any cases that arrive through travel into the Bailiwick.”
It has been reiterated at the current media briefing that anyone who breaches self-isolation requirements could face a fine of up to £10,000.
"Now more than ever we also really need people to follow the self-isolation rules to the letter," said Dr Brink. "It is not acceptable to cut corners or come up with your own ‘workarounds’, this will only put you and others at risk, I cannot stress the importance of this enough.”
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.