Guernsey is launching a new trial that could potentially reduce the 14-day self-isolation period for arriving passengers.
The Civil Contingencies Authority will be piloting a seven-day test for Covid-19 on people arriving into the island. If the test, taken on the seventh day of self-isolation, comes back negative, people will be released from isolation early but will still be subject to ‘passive surveillance.’
According to Dr Nicola Brink, Director of Public Health, the seven-day test approach has been independently peer-reviewed and is Guernsey’s best option for reducing the period of mandatory self-isolation.
‘We’re confident it is the best, lowest-risk option, but we do recognise there is no model that is completely without risk. Equally we know that 14 days of self-isolation is a big ask for some people, with some reporting to me that particularly in the second week of self-isolation, it is affecting their mental wellbeing,’ she said.
‘We need to balance the risks of the virus with the other health impacts on individuals. Managing this pilot in a controlled way is our best solution to test what will work for us. If we do get a case we must not see this as a step backwards, we are very well equipped to respond in this controlled environment. ‘
How will the pilot work?
The test will be piloted between 5 and 10 July on a cap of 1, 376 passengers travelling on a limited and specified number of Condor Ferries and Aurigny services. Anyone travelling on to Alderney and Sark, however, will not be eligible to take part in the pilot in line with the decisions of those jurisdictions.
People will be tested on the seventh day of arriving in the island. If a result comes back negative, they will released from self-isolation on the eighth day, or as soon as a negative result becomes available.
Those leaving self-isolation will be subject to ‘passive surveillance’ for another seven days, requiring them to report any symptoms, in which case they will be tested again. Anyone under surveillance will also be asked to limit their contact with other people as much as possible, for example avoid going to restaurants during this time.
‘As Dr Brink has said, we also need to think about the welfare of those already needing to travel and how 14-days of self-isolation impacts them,’ said Chief Minister Gavin St Pier.
‘If we can help safely relieve the difficulties they are going through, the CCA firmly believes that is right to do so, given that the law requires that all restrictions must be proportionate to the risk being managed.’
Why test after 7 days?
The incubation period for coronavirus is understood to be between two and 14 days. However, data shows more than 80% of cases would be identified after seven days. Coupled with passive surveillance and the Bailiwick’s track and trace system, the risk of this approach is felt to be very low.
Deputy Heidi Soulsby, member of the Civil Contingencies Authority said: ‘Our borders have been and will continue to be our strongest defence in keeping Covid-19 from returning to our community. But as a result of enhancing our testing capacity, together with having an experienced contact tracing team, we have in place enough protective measures to be confident in going ahead with a pilot for testing on day seven.’