Valid reasons for not taking the test include physical conditions affecting the nose and throat meaning the test is ‘intolerable’, or mental health conditions such as learning disabilities which make physical contact to distressing.
In a report outlining the decision, which was signed off by the Social Security Minister, Public Health cite the improved capacity for PCR tests as the core reason for the change, stating that they “are seeking to maximise the numbers of people who opt to take the PCR test rather than self-isolation.”
Pictured: If islanders have conditions that make the test intolerable, they may be exempt, but will have to provide evidence in an online form.
Initially, the scheme had allowed islanders forced into self-isolation to claim 14 days of short-term incapacity allowance regardless of whether they had taken the test, to help prevent workers ignoring the self-isolation rules.
The change in law comes after it was announced that islanders travelling from ‘green zones’ would have to take two tests upon arrivals, though would not have to isolate in between the tests.