Covid testing area for private boaters to be on Crown Pier
A TEMPORARY Covid-19 testing facility is being set up on the end of the Crown Pier for private boat owners arriving in the Bailiwick, leading to the loss of 20 parking spaces.
From Friday, category two regional classifications will be reintroduced, meaning that if someone from such a region tests negative on arrival, they will not need to self-isolate.
But they will need to have another test on day seven and follow passive follow-up rules.
It is anticipated that this further easing of border restrictions will see an increase in the number of private boaters travelling between the Bailiwick, Jersey and category two regions of the UK.
As they are not constrained by set travel schedules other than the tides, a tent is being put up on the hammerhead of the Crown Pier which they will be able to access from the Swan pontoons.
From today, 20 two-hour parking spaces will be suspended until further notice and work will start to erect the testing facility.
Tomorrow there is the potential for a limited number of spaces to be returned to use once the tent is erected.
Between Wednesday and Friday, all equipment and associated signage, CCTV, etc will be installed and tested as required.
The tent will be operation from Friday.
A Traffic and Highway Services representative said that Guernsey Harbours was converting a loading bay on Castle Emplacement to eight parking spaces to help mitigate for the loss of spaces on the Crown Pier.
‘The requirement for the testing facility to be introduced also coincides with seasonal parking change at South Esplanade whereby about 20 public parking spaces have recently reverted to two-hour disc parking from 10-hour for the summer season,’ they said.
‘This, together with the absence of cruise liner visits not impacting short-term parking availability on the Albert Pier, will help to ensure that shopper spaces are maintained at or around current levels.
‘However, Traffic and Highway Services will continue to monitor the provision of short-term parking in Town during these unprecedented times.’
Arriving boats will come into the Swan pontoon. This means that this pontoon must not be used by local boats, unless they are returning from outside the Bailiwick.
Boat owners arriving in Alderney will be tested on arrival at Braye Harbour.
