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Travellers who have received a negative PCR test within 72 hours of their arrival in the island no longer have to send their results ahead of arrival.
The updated guidance applies to travellers who have not visited any countries on England's banned list prior to their arrival.
If they can evidence that they received a negative a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result within 72 hours prior of arriving in the island, they won't need to be tested on arrival and won't need to isolate.
To be eligible, the test must have been carried out by a laboratory that is UKAS-accredited or on the UK Government's list of testing providers, Isle of Man Government lab or a Guernsey Government lab.
Tests carried out by a non-Government of Jersey provider that uses Jersey's approved lab (OpenCell) or a UKAS accredited lab will also be accepted.
Results from tests carried out by the Government of Jersey - taken through the workforce screening programme or obtained after being named a direct contact, for example - will not be accepted, as a certificate is required and an email or text from the Government will not be enough. A Government spokesperson was clear that Government tests are only taken for public health reasons, not to enable travel.
Previously, passengers had to send the proof of their negative test result to the Covid Monitoring Team but that is no longer a requirement. They will simply need to show it upon arrival at Jersey airport, or the Harbour.
The guidance was updated on the Government’s website yesterday and a spokesperson said processes are “regularly considered and updated”.
The update followed questions from Express about the verification process for PCR tests, after complaints about the issue from travellers.
“Anyone who takes a PCR test at a pharmacy in Jersey (and pays £145 for the privilege) can use that test to be allowed into Guernsey and elsewhere.... However, return to Jersey the same or the next day (within the 72 hours the Jersey authorities require) and your PCR test is not recognised. This despite the fact that the PCR analysis is conducted in the same laboratory as those carried out by Jersey government employees at the airport and harbour," one commenter said, describing it as "bonkers".
All passengers aged 11 and over arriving in Jersey are still required to complete a travel form 48 hours before arriving in Jersey.
Those who have been in a country on England's banned list, will need to be tested on Day 5 and Day 10 and isolate until Day 10.
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