EU travellers next to enter without quarantine
FULLY vaccinated travellers from the EU into Guernsey will see a significant easing in border restrictions in two weeks’ time, following an announcement of another milestone in the opening up of the island.
From Monday 16 August, double jabbed passengers from countries in the EU, or the European Free Trade Association, will be classed as category two arrivals, which means they will only have to isolate until giving a negative test on arrival.
The easing does not include the United States, although that country is likely to be part of the next relaxation phase.
Deputy Peter Ferbrache, chairman of the Civil Contingencies Authority, announced the changes at yesterday’s Covid-19 press conference.
‘We have to, as a community, begin really living responsibly with Covid,’ he said.
‘Nobody, or at least the majority of people, want Fortress Guernsey, certainly the Civil Contingencies Authority does not want Fortress Guernsey, and neither does anybody advising us.
‘While we know some in our community might be concerned, this is a continuation of the strategy to reduce border restrictions as it becomes proportionate to do so.’
France may become the exception to the new rules because of high infection rates in the country, but a decision on that will be taken closer to the time.
Deputy Ferbrache urged people to have trust in the vaccination programme, and director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink backed him up.
‘We want to keep moving forward’, she said.
The changes follow the Civil Contingencies Authority’s decision to accept EU and EFTA vaccination certificates after it received confirmation of the vaccine certification templates.
European arrivals will have a PCR test on arrival, another on day seven, and they must follow passive follow-up rules for 14 days.
However, the changes will not apply to anyone who has spent any time in a country on the UK’s ‘red list’.
They will remain subject to category four requirements.
More on Page 5
