Guernsey Press

Border Agency makes about 20 visits a day to self-isolators

A SMALL team makes around 20 visits a day to self-isolating Guernsey arrivals, Guernsey Border Agency surveyor Rebecca Falla has said.

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Guernsey Border Agency surveyor Rebecca Falla. (Picture By Peter Frankland, 28517925)

Following the sentencing of three people on Monday for breaches of self-isolation requirements in the island, and a few others in the process of legal proceedings, the agency has warned it will continue to monitor and assess those coming into the island.

Ms Falla said anyone who arrives at the harbour or airport, privately or commercially, has to complete a form with contact details, both for contact tracing purposes and to allow checks to be carried out.

‘Attached to that is a legal notice which compels individuals to self-isolate, currently for 14 days, and outlines what is required of them during that period,’ she said.

‘On arrival, travellers are met by officers or representatives of the Border Agency, which includes Aurigny staff at the airport, then asked to immediately go straight to their place of self-isolation, keeping their mask on and without going anywhere else in between.’

Regular unannounced check-ins by phone and in person are made to see that requirements are being met and to check up on their wellbeing and health, including any coronavirus symptoms.

The Guernsey Fire & Rescue Service, as well as police, assist with visits, and a task force set up by the States assists with phone calls.

If anybody is suspected of a breach, an investigation is begun before being referred to the Law Officers for possible prosecution.

She said that reports of those who may have breached self-isolation rules came in through tip-offs and calls, as well as through their check-ins, and encouraged people to continue to let them know if they suspected someone to not be doing as they should, despite exceptions.

‘Any reports usually come through the Joint Emergency Services Control Centre and it is referred to us,’ said Ms Falla.

‘At that point we check in, however, sometimes they have a good reason and the waters can be a bit muddy around it.

'There are those travelling under exemptions, such as compassionate travel and critical travel, say somebody travelling to repair essential kit at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, and then there’s the recently started business tunnels.

‘There are lots of restrictions around these as well and there are applications that need to be submitted based around risk.

‘Essentially we do the leg work in terms of checking everything is being observed and if not an investigation is begun.’

She added that although social media could be unhelpful, tip-offs through the correct channels, such as JESSC, were very useful.

‘We get quite a few calls, on top of referrals and the work we generate for ourselves in checking in with people,’ she said.

‘It is a hot topic and people are keen to keep the island safe.

‘We visit people every day, around 20 a day and we don’t have a huge team so the team is spread between the resources we have.

‘It’s very much a team effort and we’re constantly looking at available resources and the ever-changing situation.

'Hopefully we do a good job to make sure the Bailiwick is protected.’