Jersey tourism is back in business as the island’s border will reopen for non-essential travel from 3 July.
In what the government is calling the ‘Safer Travel Period,’ anyone arriving in the island will have the option of being tested for Covid-19 on arrival or self-isolate for 14 days.
The decision, which has been welcomed by Jersey’s hospitality industry, will also allow residents to travel abroad to visit friends and family, and to vacation overseas.
Economic Minister Lyndon Farnham said the decision had been made based on advice from the island’s Scientific and Advisory Cell (STAC).
‘In making this decision, we have sought to balance the potential risk of additional cases with the substantial damage clearly being caused to islanders non-Covid related health issues, mental health and wider physical wellbeing – and our businesses and our livelihoods,’ he said, adding the the number of flights and sailings would begin modestly and increase gradually.’
Blue Islands, EasyJet, and British Airways will serve as the island’s primary airlines, with and Condor operating sailings.
Testing at Jersey’s Border
A border testing scheme, which has already been piloted, will give passengers the option of being tested on arrival. Results will be produced within 12 hours and those who test negative for coronavirus will be released from self-isolation, as long as they do not return positive results when tested on their fourth and seventh days on the island.
Government-funded accommodation for people who test positive and need to self-isolate will be in place by 3 July. All travellers will be asked to provide contact information ahead of travel and the island’s contact tracing team, which now has 55 staff, will be put into action for anyone testing positive.
Doing what is ‘best’ for Jersey
‘Our Safer Travel proposal, which will be lodged in a Proposition to the States, allows us to open Jersey’s borders in a safe way. We are doing what is best for our island and our connectivity, which is centred on the UK but also includes travel to Madeira and France,’ said Senator Farnham.
‘It means Jersey will be able to maintain its position as a well-connected global jurisdiction and a tourism destination. And islanders will be able to go on holiday, take part in career and educational opportunities, and visit their friends and family once again.’
Resistance in the States
After the announcement by Senator Farnham, a group of backbenchers have launched a bid to delay the opening of local borders until 10 July.
They also want visitors to be transported to their destination in a specific and sanitised service and self-isolate until a negative result to their PCR test is received.
Their request will be debated in the States this week.