Alderney joins Phase 5b from 3 September

The northern isle is now finalising plans for overcoming the logistics and practical difficulties associated with new rules for testing travellers arriving from outside the Bailiwick.

Medical professionals advising the States have now signalled their readiness for large-scale testing for Covid-19 on arrival to the island.

Jurisdictions outside the Bailiwick are divided into Groups A, B or C countries.

The new rules mean that many travellers to Alderney and from September 3rd will now be required to self-isolate for only seven days.

However, in the period between 17 August and 3 September, while Alderney remains in Phase 5a, and Guernsey is already in Phase 5b, those travellers who have self-isolated for 7-days in Guernsey will not be permitted to move on to Alderney until they have completed their additional 7-days of ‘passive follow-up’.

Chairman of Alderney’s Policy and Finance Committee James Dent said: 'The removal of these restrictions will be welcomed, particularly by the business community.

'We also hope that more of our second home owners will be prepared to travel and we thank them for their support during this difficult time.

'The move will also be welcomed by Alderney residents who need to visit the UK and who previously had the prospect of a long period of self-isolation on their return.'

Anyone arriving in Alderney from a Group A country within the previous 14 days must enter compulsory self-isolation for 14 days.

Anyone arriving in Alderney from a Group B country can:

- Self-isolate for 14 days; or

- Elect to self-isolate for seven days then take a test for SARS-Cov-2 with release to ‘passive follow-up’ on receipt of negative result

‘Passive follow-up’ means a person:

- Must report any symptoms consistent with Covid-19 and return to self-isolation and arrange a test for SARS-Cov-2;

- Must not visit a hospital unless for emergency care. In this case, prior notification should be given if possible;

- Must discuss with the relevant healthcare service, for example the GP or Hospital Clinic, if attending an appointment during the period of passive surveillance; and

- Must not visit a care and residential home without prior arrangement with the Care Home Manager.

Anyone arriving from a Group C country is not required to undertake any self-isolation or testing.

These countries are those with agreed air-bridges with the Bailiwick – currently only the Isle of Man.

A full list of the countries in Groups A, B and C can be found on the www.gov.gg website.

Changes to the lists may occur at short notice.

Today, the Netherlands and Uzbekistan were both added to Group A.