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In response to growing numbers of positive covid cases, Public Health is inviting the public to pick up packs of lateral flow tests to self-administer twice a week, with the tests being given to the island for free by the NHS.
The new guidance was announced by the CCA yesterday alongside a series of other "strong recommendations", including wearing masks in crowded places, ventilating buildings by opening as many windows as you can, and respecting other people’s personal space, something which CCA members said had "slipped" in recent weeks.
“We’re stepping up the recommendations, in the hope that regular lateral flow testing and the use of masks in some settings will help us regain the ground that we’re starting to lose and stop a manageable number of cases getting out of control,” said the Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola Brink.
Pictured: “I am concerned that we’re seeing the single most important measure we can all take – staying at home and reporting our symptoms when we’re unwell – not being followed by some.” said Dr Brink, during the latest media briefing.
Public Health is advising that people collect free lateral flow tests and self-administer twice a week, while also testing before attending events where physically distancing cannot be guaranteed. It is also advised before visiting healthcare settings, vulnerable people, or when asked to by a member of the contact tracing team.
Free tests will no longer be available from the Crown Pier after Storm Aurore blew the testing tent into the sea.
“I don’t believe that the intent at the moment is to re-establish it,” said the Chair of the Civil Contingencies Authority, Deputy Peter Ferbrache.
“It’s gone a few days early, but it’ll now stay gone.”
Pictured: You can now pick up free lateral flow tests from the Guernsey Information Centre.
When asked how much this additional testing will cost the States, Deputy Ferbrache revealed that the packs have actually been supplied for free.
“We got the stock for free and we hope it’ll continue to come for free, but if there comes a time when we need to pay for it, the money will be available,” said Deputy Ferbrache.
“We’ve got a good relationship with the National Health Service and the relationship from the beginning with National Health has been truly excellent.”
Travellers are charged £25 for a pack of five when arriving in the island. It has since been explained that the NHS has given the States of Guernsey free lateral flow tests now on the basis that they’ll be used for community surveillance.
However, free tests would not be provided for travel related restrictions and the States had to source these packs separately.
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