Anyone travelling back to the islands from the UK, with any symptoms at all, must self isolate for 14 days. The same applies for any other country not previously listed on either Group A or Group B under the States guidance on coronavirus.
Pictured: Doctor Nicola Brink is Guernsey’s Director of Public Health. She is leading the Bailiwick’s efforts to keep contain the coronavirus pandemic locally.
A Group A country is one with a high rate of positive tests of COVID-19, and a high rate of associated deaths. Overnight the States’ team directing the Bailiwick’s response to the global pandemic decided to add Spain and France to Group A.
This means that with effect from 16 March 2020, Public Health Services are recommending that any individual returning from the following areas should self-isolate for 14 days, even if they don’t have any symptoms linked with coronavirus:
- Mainland China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau)
- Iran
- South Korea
- Specific lockdown areas designated by the government of Italy.
- The whole of Italy – (returning since 10 March 2020)
- Spain (returning since 16 March 2020)
- France (returning from 16 March 2020)
Anyone returning from these areas will be required to self-isolate for 14 days regardless of whether they have any symptoms of COVID-19: fever, cough and shortness of breath – Group A
The UK, together with ‘the rest of the world’ is now considered a Group B country which means that anyone returning from one of these areas who becomes symptomatic with a fever, cough and or shortness of breath should self-isolate for 14 days immediately – even if they only suffer mild symptoms.
Countries on the Group B list are:
- Thailand,
- Japan,
- Hong Kong,
- Taiwan,
- Singapore,
- Malaysia
- Macau
- Vietnam
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Indonesia
- France
- Egypt
- Tenerife – returning since 17 February 2020
- Germany – returning since 2 March 2020
- Mainland Spain – returning since 2 March 2020
- USA – returning since 10 March 2020
- Switzerland – returning since 10 March 2020
- Netherlands – returning since 10 March 2020
- The United Kingdom (returning since 16 March 2020)
- The rest of the World (returning since 16 March 2020) – excluding the Group A countries identified above
If you experience symptoms (fever, cough or shortness of breath, no matter how mild) and have returned from the above countries in the last 14 days, then stay indoors and call the coronavirus helpline- Group B
The coronavirus helpline number is 01481 756938 and 01481 756969. If you are feeling very unwell, phone 999 and tell the operator your symptoms and travel history. You should not go to your doctor’s surgery, pharmacy or the hospital without first calling and speaking to the helpline and taking their advice.
Advance warning is also being given that this travel advice is likely to change again soon, meaning anyone currently off-island may soon have to self isolate on return from anywhere in the world regardless of any symptoms.
Deputy Gavin St Pier, President of the Policy & Resources Committee said the Director of Public Health is also being given powers to ensure the advice is followed.
Pictured: Deputy Gavin St Pier.
“Last Thursday, we issued strong advice that there should be no travel to or from the Bailiwick unless it was essential,” said Deputy St Pier. “I am grateful for the advice we have received from Dr Nicola Brink and her expert team over the weekend, which has resulted in timely evidence based decisions. With rapid developments globally, and particularly in Europe and mainland UK, it is essential that Guernsey constantly reviews its response to meet our needs.
“There will be a further review of this advice today, Monday 16 March 2020, which will take into account the latest information from and the developing position in the UK.
“It is very likely that a decision will be made during this week, to move to a point where anyone entering the Bailiwick will be requested to self-isolate for 14 days regardless of any symptoms or point of origin.
“We are not afraid to take a proactive approach to help protect our Island infrastructure and the resilience and welfare of our Island community, even if that means to all intents and purposes there are no movements in or out of the island, other than those which are completely unavoidable.
“As we made public last week, the Civil Contingencies Authority is in the advanced stages of preparing Emergency Powers Regulations which will give the Director of Public Health all the powers that are required to enforce the advice now being given, if any individuals fail to comply.”
Any non essential travel off island has also now been ordered to stop.
The States issued the new guidance on travel late on Sunday night – urging businesses to look again at their own continuity plans as any non-essential travel must now “cease with immediate effect”.
Businesses are also told to put measure in place for staff to work from home if they haven’t already done so, and parents are advised to arrange for any children studying off-island to come home as soon as possible.
Travel advice for the Bailiwick with effect Monday 16 March is as follows:
- All non-essential travel must cease with immediate effect.
- Businesses need to enact their business continuity plans where appropriate and be ready to change their working practices and implement, for example, home working.
- Businesses or individuals who are expecting visitors to the Islands in the near future are reminded of the measures the Bailiwick has in place to manage the coronavirus i.e business or individuals should consider ceasing non-essential travel with immediate effect. In addition, if travel is deemed essential, business or individuals should ask their visitors not to travel if they are unwell with a fever, cough or shortness of breath.
- Any individual leaving the island for essential reasons must take into account the requirement which will be upon them to self-isolate on their return as well as the risk of falling ill outside the island and the treatment that may or may not be available at that time in the location in which they find themselves.
- Students. In view of the rapidly changing environment across the world including the closure of many institutions, potentially for an extended period, we would encourage students and their parents to consider whether they should return to the island sooner rather than later, even if this requires a period of self-isolation.
The coronavirus situation is being managed locally by a team of senior health workers and civil servants, in conjunction with politicians, business and community leaders.
At the helm is Doctor Nicola Brink, Guernsey’s Director of Public Health. She is working closely with Deputy Heidi Soulsby, President of the Committee for Health & Social Care.
Pictured: Deputy Heidi Soulsby.
“The focus of our Public Health advice that we are issuing to our community, in response to COVID-19, is all about preparedness and doing everything we can to slow down the potential spread of the virus across the Islands,” said Deputy Soulsby.
“I am very aware that the advice is changing at pace. I would urge the community to keep working with us and to follow the advice posted on gov.gg/coronavirus as well as the information on the States of Guernsey Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds. For those at risk, who do not have computers or access to the internet, we are working to ensure we make contact and information reaches you by different communication channels.
“Bailiwick advice will differ from that being issued by the UK and Jersey as it is specifically tailored, with advice from the Director of Public Health, to meet the needs of our Island community. We continue to appreciate the collaboration and support we are receiving.”