However, there are no plans to change the current requirement for all inbound travellers to the island to self-isolate.
All international arrivals into the UK will be required to self-isolate in their accommodation for 14 days on arrival into the UK – although no date has been set by Mr Johnson’s administration for the measure to come into force, other than to say it will be introduced ‘as soon as possible’.
However, Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man and Ireland – which are part of the Common Travel Area with the UK – are exempt. France will also be exempt from the travel quarantine under an agreement reached by Mr Johnson and French president Emmanuel Macron.
The move by the UK government is in stark contrast to travel measures taken by the authorities in Guernsey.
In March, it was determined that all persons arriving in the Bailiwick from anywhere in the world – including Jersey and the UK – must self-isolate for 14 days on arrival. A limited exemption in relation to critical worker travel was also set out.
The States of Guernsey said yesterday: ‘There is no intention at this time to make any changes to the requirement for anyone travelling into the Bailiwick of Guernsey to self-isolate for 14 days regardless of symptoms or port of origin.’
In a Covid-19 ‘recovery strategy’ published yesterday, the UK government set out in broad terms how it saw the quarantine for international arrivals working. However, it did not detail how it would work, when it might come into force and the operational implications for the Crown Dependencies and Ireland. The 60-page document said: ‘As the level of infection in the UK reduces, and the Government prepares for social contact to increase, it will be important to manage the risk of transmissions being reintroduced from abroad.
‘Therefore, in order to keep overall levels of infection down and in line with many other countries, the Government will introduce a series of measures and restrictions at the UK border. This will contribute to keeping the overall number of transmissions in the UK as low as possible.’
As well as increased information about the UK’s social distancing regime at the border, all international arrivals will be required to supply their contact and accommodation information. They will also be strongly advised to download and use the NHS contact tracing app.
‘Second, the Government will require all international arrivals not on a short list of exemptions to self-isolate in their accommodation for fourteen days on arrival into the UK.
‘Where international travellers are unable to demonstrate where they would self-isolate, they will be required to do so in accommodation arranged by the Government. The Government is working closely with the devolved administrations to coordinate implementation across the UK.’
Small exemptions will be in place to provide for continued security of supply into the UK and so as not to impede work supporting national security or critical infrastructure and to meet the UK’s international obligations, said the document.
‘All journeys within the Common Travel Area will also be exempt from these measures.
‘These international travel measures will not come into force on 13 May but will be introduced as soon as possible.’
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