Guernsey has updated its travel rules to require all those entering the island to have a permit.
This permit is legally required as of 14 January, including for Guernsey residents who are returning from the UK.
It’s part of a ban on all non-essential travel, with only certain reasons permissible for entering the Bailiwick of Guernsey, which includes Guernsey, Alderney and Sark.
Exceptions are limited to:
- Critical workers
- For compassionate purposes, including supporting a dependent relative
- Medical treatment
- Accompanying a child or vulnerable person
- Essential business activity which cannot be done remotely
- Meeting legal obligations like attending court proceedings
- Attending or returning to education
- Returning residents who travelled off the island before 12 January
- Moving to the bailiwick where a house has already been purchased and the process of moving has begun
- Beginning a job already secured with a local employer or where the work is essential
Those who try to enter without a permit could be charged and fined up to £10,000.
If approved, travellers should receive their permit within 72 hours.
Previously, travellers needed to take a Covid-19 test on day 13 after their arrival, but are now required to take a test at the border as well in order to leave self-isolation after 14 days.
Those who decline to take a test must quarantine for three weeks.
“Those who must travel for critical or essential reasons need to work with us to protect the bailiwick from Covid-19,” said the Civil Contingencies Authority (CCA) chairman Peter Ferbrache, adding that the Channel Island was taking a “belt and braces” approach to keep residents safe.
States chief executive Paul Whitfield said that, while the process would be as simple as possible, “it won't be a soft approach, we will be strict in ensuring any journey that clearly isn't essential is declined.”
