Two-stage change to border restrictions

Wednesday 22 September 2021

In a two-stage step, new changes to border restrictions come into force tomorrow, followed by further relaxations on the 4 October.

The Civil Contingencies Authority announced significant steps in relaxing border restrictions during the latest media briefing, including proof of vaccination now being accepted from any jurisdiction, and an all-encompassing ‘blue’ arrival category for incoming travellers.

The first step will be enacted tomorrow. People who can provide proof of an approved covid-19 vaccine from any jurisdiction can now benefit from reduced isolation periods if they test positive.

Those who test positive will now only have to isolate for ten days, compared to the standard fourteen days previously.

Additionally, Public Health has changed its guidance on self-isolation rules for contacts of a positive case.

• Anyone aged 18 or under who is a contact will not be required to self-isolate regardless of their vaccination status. They will be required to undergo lateral flow testing. 
• Anyone aged 19 or over who is fully vaccinated will not be required to self-isolate. They will be required to undergo lateral flow testing and take a single PCR test. 
• Anyone aged 19 or over who is not fully vaccinated (meaning both unvaccinated or partially vaccinated) will need to self-isolate for 10 days. They will need to undertake a PCR test and will also be offered lateral flow testing. 
• There may be exceptional cases that require a variation of these requirements for cases or contacts of cases, which would be determined by Public Health. 

The second, more significant step, will take place on the 4 October. This will see the Bailiwick of Guernsey align with the UK, which will be scrapping its traffic light system for a simpler ‘red list’ plan.

Any travellers into the Bailiwick from the Common Travel Area will be considered a ‘blue’ arrival, regardless of their vaccination status.

Pictured: Despite numerous changes, the £25 lateral flow packs on arrival will remain a staple for the foreseeable future.

In line with the UK’s changes, the highest restrictions will be applied to people arriving from UK red-list jurisdictions. The rules will vary depending on a person’s vaccine status, and can be seen outlined below.

Pictured: All arrivals will still need to complete the travel tracker.

“Since we began the process of enabling more travel on the 1st July, we’ve seen thousands of people able to visit friends and family, and badly-affected businesses finally able to welcome customers again,” said the Head of the CCA, Deputy Peter Ferbrache.

“This next change in our travel rules means even fewer restrictions but it is still not travel as it was in pre-COVID times. 

“It may be a long time before we get back to that, and people should be aware of the additional checks and additional form-filling that we require. Travelling to most other places is also less straightforward compared to pre-COVID times and anyone intending to travel should ensure they know what to expect,” he said.