Guernsey Press

Northern England and the West Midlands could become Group A if Covid cases do not fall

ENGLAND has been moved on to Guernsey's Group B watch list.

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Picture by Sophie Rabey. 05-08-20. Coronavirus Press Conference this afternoon at Beau Sejour. Conference Panel L-R Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink.. (28666450)

But under new proposals put forward, the England could be broken up into regions, meaning only those parts of England with high rates would become Group A.

If the number of cases do not fall, parts of England could become Group A at midnight on Tuesday. This would mean anyone arriving from those areas would need to self-isolate for 14 days.

The change is due to England rising above 30 cases per 100,000 people, which is the States of Guernsey boundary for Group B countries.

People arriving from Group B countries need to self-isolate for seven days and then are tested.

However, the UK could be broken up into regions, meaning only people arriving from areas with a high rate of Covid-19 would need to isolate. Driving through an area of concern would not count as having visited it. However travelling on public transport would count as having visited that region.

Currently the areas of concern are the northeast and northwest of England, as well as Yorkshire and the West Midlands.

London would also go on to a watchlist.

A similar regional approach is being considered for Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France.

Guernsey's Director of Public Health Nicola Brink said they would be looking to keep regions as Group B for as long as possible to give people the ability to travel, but also make informed decisions about where they travelled.

There will also be special rules for compassionate travel and medical travel to Group A areas.