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Condor passengers now need negative test to travel

Condor passengers now need negative test to travel

Monday 04 January 2021

Condor passengers now need negative test to travel

Monday 04 January 2021


People travelling to and from Jersey by ferry will now need to obtain a negative covid test within 72 hours of their departure.

Meanwhile, the Commodore Goodwill is to revert to carrying unaccompanied freight only from Portsmouth.

Intended to ensure the continuity of service in light of rising covid cases in the UK, Condor has ushered in the changes across all routes and ships except for departures from Guernsey.

The ferry provider said it would be waiving its booking change fees for any passengers affected by the measures, which are coming into force immediately and expected to remain in place "for the foreseeable future."

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Pictured: The negative test must be obtained within 72 hours of travel.

Operations Director Elwyn Dop 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.

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."

It comes after Condor announced in early December that it would halt all high-speed ferry sailings between January and April 2021 due to the continuing impact of the pandemic.

A spokesperson explained at the time: “The frequency of high speed passenger sailings is being pared back during the January - March winter period as a consequence of the continuing severe travel and quarantine restrictions.

“We are continuing to see extremely low demand following the movement of both France and the UK into national lockdowns and border controls which are affecting travel volumes to and from the Channel Islands.

“Following recent discussions with the Government of Jersey and States of Guernsey on the financial implications of maintaining unsustainable passenger sailings during the winter, Condor will not operate high speed services from St Malo and Poole until April 2021."

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