Jersey testing questioned
JERSEY’S government faced fresh criticism after 21 ferry passengers slipped through its border testing net on Monday night.
Arrivals are meant to be tested and no longer need to self-isolate.
The passengers were not tested after disembarking from the Commodore Clipper service from Portsmouth.
A Condor Ferries spokesman said its duty was for the journey across the Channel and between islands.
‘Condor’s responsibility is to provide safe passage to and from islands,’ said the spokesperson.
‘We accommodate a limited number of passengers on Commodore Clipper from Portsmouth.
‘Very strict protocols remain in place on board as passengers are not able to move freely around the ship and are restricted to cabins and seating areas for the duration of their journey.’
Passengers were said to be furious with the lack of testing at the harbour and had been told simply to go home. In the absence of a test on arrival it would mean passengers must quarantine for two weeks.
The Jersey government said that the passengers were subsequently tested at the airport drive-through centre yesterday after being told to self-isolate the previous night.
Jersey government will now review its test arrangements.
It came just three days after the borders reopened.
There are now six known active Covid-19 cases in Jersey – a rise of five since the borders reopened – with one of those a passenger on the first Condor Rapide ferry sailing on Saturday.
The next Clipper service to Guernsey via Jersey is on Monday and the next Rapide service from Poole to Guernsey is today.
