Contact tracing identifies four new Covid-19 cases

They are all connected to positive cases that were identified in returning travellers.

There is still no current evidence of community seeding.

'The identification of these four additional cases demonstrates that our track and trace systems are working as they should,' said Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink.

'The detection of these cases has been through a combination of testing of family members self-isolating as a group, together with the identification of a new infection in a person living in the same household as a previously identified case.

'As I said yesterday, it is essential, now more than ever that people to follow the self-isolation rules to the letter. It is also essential that those choosing to self-isolate in households away from other household members follow meticulous hygiene measures in respect of any areas you pass through on the way to your self-isolation accommodation e.g. sanitising door handles, handrails etc and ensuring you follow the requirements in respect of laundry.'

There are now eight active cases.

If you are self-isolating in the same household as others who are not self-isolating you must follow the guidance on gov.gg/coronavirus and ensure you do not mix, and that you very carefully manage things like shared toilet facilities to avoid any possible spread of the virus.

For those in a household who have travellers isolating away from people in a separate part of the house nobody is allowed to visit the household except for the following:

• People that live there as long as they are separate from you

• Anyone providing essential care or medical help to someone in the household

• Someone entering the property in the case of an emergency, for example emergency plumbing repairs

You cannot, for example, have a family member isolating in a separate part of a property and invite friends and family round to celebrate Christmas or New Year.

‘While we are still learning more about the new variant, we do know is it is up to 70% more transmissible that SARS-CoV-2,' said Dr Brink.

'One case brought into the Bailiwick that isn’t detected will pose a significant risk. This is a reminder to be vigilant and stay safe. The identification of this new variant is extremely serious. Stop and think how your actions might impact on the rest of our community. We can’t let Christmas and New Year undo all the hard work of our community. We are asking our community to remain vigilant and stay safe.’