Condor is tightening safety measures across its fleet to ensure continuity of services to the Islands following the recent increases in Covid-19 infection rates in the UK.
With immediate effect, passengers will be required to provide evidence of a negative Covid-19 test result conducted within 72 hours of travel and Commodore Goodwill is to revert to carrying unaccompanied freight only from Portsmouth. The changes apply to all routes and ships except for departures from Guernsey and are to remain in place for the foreseeable future.
Elwyn Dop, Condor’s Operations Director, said: “We took the decision to step up our safety protocols to protect those travelling on our ships and keep our freight supplies secure for the benefit of all Islanders. We fully understand that the changes may be inconvenient to some but are working in the best interests of the Islands as a whole and feel this is the best option available to us.”
Passengers booked from the UK and France to Jersey and Guernsey and from Jersey to Guernsey must be in receipt of a negative PCR or lateral flow test result in order to travel. A sterile working environment on Goodwill will be adopted with no freight passengers on board and enhanced ship to shore practices will continue. These apply in Guernsey, Jersey, Portsmouth and St Malo.
Mr Dop added: “These are, once again, unprecedented times for our industry and these prudent measures ensure lifeline freight and passenger services are safeguarded. It is crucial that all the right steps are taken and we are in direct dialogue with both the States of Guernsey and Government of Jersey on this.”
Passenger and freight teams are notifying all customers of the changes and amending bookings as appropriate. Booking change fees will be waived for any travellers who need to transfer at short notice.
