Guernsey’s Public Health has updated its travel advice as Covid-19 continues to spread through mainland Europe and the UK.
As of Monday 16 March, Spain and France will be added to the list known as Group A countries, meaning that anyone returning from these areas must self-isolate for 14 days regardless of whether they are symptomatic.
All other countries, including the UK, are now classed as Group B countries. This means that anyone returning from these areas who becomes symptomatic with a fever, cough and or shortness of breath, should self-isolate for 14 days immediately, even if symptoms are mild.
‘Last Thursday, we issued strong advice that there should be no travel to or from the Bailiwick unless it was essential. I am grateful for the advice we have received from Dr Brink and her expert team over the weekend, which has resulted in timely evidence based decisions. With rapid developments globally, and particularly in Europe and mainland UK, it is essential that Guernsey constantly reviews its response to meet our needs,’ said Deputy Gavin St Pier, President of the Policy & Resources Committee.
‘It is very likely that a decision will be made during this week, to move to a point where anyone entering the Bailiwick will be requested to self-isolate for 14 days regardless of any symptoms or point of origin. We are not afraid to take a proactive approach to help protect our island infrastructure and the resilience and welfare of our island community, even if that means to all intents and purposes there are no movements in or out of the island, other than those which are completely unavoidable.’
Deputy St Pier added that Guernsey’s Civil Contingencies Authority is in the advanced stages of preparing Emergency Powers Regulations. These will give the Director of Public Health the powers required to enforce official advice, should any individuals fail to comply.
Updated travel advice for the Bailiwick:
•All non-essential travel must cease with immediate effect.
•Businesses need to enact their business continuity plans where appropriate and be ready to change their working practices and implement, for example, home working.
•Businesses or individuals who are expecting visitors to the islands in the near future should consider ceasing non-essential travel with immediate effect. If travel is deemed essential, business or individuals should ask their visitors not to travel if they are unwell with a fever, cough or shortness of breath.
•Any individual leaving the island for essential reasons must take into account the requirement which will be upon them to self-isolate on their return
• Overseas students and their parents should consider whether they should return to the island sooner rather than later, even if this requires a period of self-isolation.
Updated details of Group A and Group B country requirements:
Group A
With effect from 16 March 2020. Public Health Services are recommending that any individual should self-isolate for 14 days, irrespective of symptoms if they have returned from the following areas:
•Mainland China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau)
•Iran
•South Korea
•Specific lockdown areas designated by the government of Italy.
•The whole of Italy – (returning since 10 March 2020)
•Spain (returning since 16 March 2020)
•France (returning from 16 March 2020)
Group B:
With effect from 16 March 2020. Public Health Services are recommending anyone returning from the following countries in the last 14 days who have symptoms of COVID-19 self-isolate and contact the coronavirus helpline :
•Thailand,
•Japan,
•Hong Kong,
•Taiwan,
•Singapore,
•Malaysia
•Macau
•Vietnam
•Cambodia
•Laos
•Myanmar
•Indonesia
•France
•Egypt
•Tenerife – returning since 17 February 2020
•Germany – returning since 2 March 2020
•Mainland Spain – returning since 2 March 2020
•USA – returning since 10 March 2020
•Switzerland – returning since 10 March 2020
•Netherlands – returning since 10 March 2020
Countries added to the Group B list with effect from 16 March 2020
•The United Kingdom (returning since 16 March 2020)
•The rest of the World (returning since 16 March 2020) – excluding the Group A countries identified above
If you experience symptoms (fever, cough or shortness of breath, no matter how mild) and have returned from the above countries in the last 14 days, then stay indoors and call the coronavirus helpline on 01481 756938 and 01481 756969, or, if you are feeling very unwell, phone 999 telling the operator of your symptoms and travel history.
DO NOT ATTEND YOUR GP PRACTICE, PHARMACY OR THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT UNANNOUNCED.