What you need to know about travelling in and out of the Channel Islands
People returning home to the Channel Islands from abroad - and travelling through the UK - will have to isolate for the time they are there.
However, they will not have to self-isolate for the full 14 days when passing through.
These guidelines are in line with the UK's rules about quarantine measures for people arriving in the UK from overseas.
The new UK travel restrictions will not apply to people who are travelling in from places in the Common Travel Area (CTA). That includes people from the Republic of Ireland, Bailiwick of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.
Once a resident returns to the Channel Islands, they must then self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of any other previous self-isolation periods.
From Monday 8 June 2020:
Travel from the Channel Islands to UK
If you are travelling to the UK from the Channel Islands, you will not be required by the UK authorities to complete a form which provides journey and contact details before travelling. Also, you will not be required to self-isolate on arrival in the UK.
Travel from abroad to the Channel Islands transiting through UK
If you are a Channel Islands resident travelling to the UK from anywhere outside the Common Travel Area, you will be required by the UK authorities to complete a form which provides journey and contact details before travelling to the UK.
You will also be required to self-isolate for the period whilst you are in the UK (as it might be necessary to stay overnight in the UK between arriving in the UK and departing for the Channel Islands).
You do not have to stay in the UK for as long as 14 days, but you must follow UK’s guidance on self-isolation for the time that you are in the UK.
On arrival in the Channel Islands
Passengers arriving in Jersey will be offered a Covid-19 test on arrival. Those who test negative for the virus will not have to self-isolate for the full 14 days, but will have to self-isolate until they have their initial test results and must have follow-up tests.
If you arrive in the Bailiwick of Guernsey from anywhere (including from the UK), you must self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of whether you have symptoms or not.
The 14 day self-isolation period in the Bailiwick starts from the time you arrive back in the Bailiwick – any time in transit in the UK does not count towards that 14 day period.
The only exception is for 'critical workers' who have received exemptions for travel to the Bailiwick.
Travel to UK for certain purposes
If a person is on the list of exemptions due to their work or the reason for their visit to the UK, then they will not have to self-isolate once they have arrived in the UK (even if arriving from outside the CTA).
Specific requirements are in place for some patients travelling to the UK for inpatient treatment at University Hospital Southampton.
More information on the UK’s requirements to complete a form and its rules on self-isolation from 8 June can be found online.