Condor to run two sailings from the UK in early July
CONDOR will operate sailings on two dates next month between Poole and Guernsey in line with the States' controlled transportation trial of incoming and outgoing passenger travel.
The departures, on Sunday 5 and Wednesday 8 July, will see Condor Liberation sail round trips between Poole and Guernsey only, with a reduced number of passengers and social distancing procedures in place for check-in, boarding, seating and disembarkation.
Condor's executive director Elwyn Dop recognised there were a number of people who need to go to the UK, regardless of the requirement to quarantine on return so has worked with the States to allow a few specific sailings to allow those passengers to travel.
A ship that normally takes over 850 passengers is being reduced to 250 to allow space on-board for social distancing.
The company’s safety protocols include limits on the number of travellers in the public lounges, floor distancing markers and barriers installed with food and beverage outlets to operate as self-service with card payments only.
All passengers will be required to wear face coverings for travel and check-in times are being extended.
Mr Dop added: 'These limited sailing dates will initially allow us to test our safety procedures and assess the impact on all aspects of our vessel operation.
'And crucially, they will allow the States to pilot 7-day testing for returning passengers on specified sailings.
'Any permanent restart realistically needs a further easing of quarantine and travel restrictions and we have no timings on these at this stage but we hope this pilot is successful and will take us that step closer.'
BLOB
The timings of the first sailings are on Sunday 5 July, Poole to Guernsey, 11am-2pm, returning 3.30pm-6.30pm.
On Wednesday 8 July, Liberation leaves Poole at 8.30am, arriving in St Peter Port at 11.30am, before returning at 1pm and reaching Poole at 4pm.
