Redundant Covid travel categories suspended

The system has become increasingly redundant over the last few months as infection rates in England and France meant travellers would have to self-isolate anyway as they had to pass through, even if they had come from somewhere else in the world with low rates.

Those arriving from Jersey have had to go into isolation since October.

A non-essential travel ban to Guernsey was announced on 8 January.

But every day the States has been updating categories for all countries and islands around the globe.

For example, on Monday Azerbaijan was downgraded to category three and Kuwait moved to four.

CCA chair Peter Ferbrache said: ‘We have less restrictive rules for some categories and right now, those are only on paper as in practice we know everyone coming to the Bailiwick is coming from a category four region. But given we are treating travel with such seriousness that a ban has had to be introduced on non-essential journeys, we should also make absolutely clear that those who do arrive will be subject to our highest level of self-isolation and testing requirements.’

All arrivals must self-isolate for 21 days, unless they receive negative tests both on arrival and on day 13, when this is reduced to two weeks, regardless of their travel history.

Dr Nicola Brink, Director of Public Health said: ‘Given the global situation, we must be extremely careful and not underestimate the potential for our situation to change. Our self-isolation and testing requirements are rigorous, but they are our best way of preventing reseeding of our community with the virus.’