Guernsey’s Public Health have quickly reviewed the guidance provided last week instructing that those in self-isolation should keep their postal ballots ‘quarantined’ for 72 hours before they are posted or opened.
Given there is at the moment no indication of community seeding of COVID-19 in the community and no requirement for other on-island restrictions, it is not necessary to ask those self-isolating to keep their postal ballots ‘quarantined’.
Instead Public Health would ask that those self-isolating use good hand hygiene when handling their postal ballots. They cannot leave their self-isolation but they can ask a friend or family member to collect the ballot for them, provided they do not come into contact with that person. Alternatively they can contact the Election Office on 01481 747579 who can provide assistance.
Registrar-General of Electors Colette Falla said: “I’m grateful to Public Health for quickly responding to what has clearly caused concern for voters in self-isolation, and for looking at the guidance with a clear view
of what is and isn’t proportionate.
“Clearly this election is the first of its kind and is having to be organised in extraordinary circumstances which is throwing up questions and challenges that no one has dealt with before, but all areas of the public sector involved are working incredibly hard to resolve any issues as quickly as possible. I hope this will reassure those who are self-isolating who were worried it might affect their ability to take part in this first Island-Wide General Election”.
