The latest travel guidance for the Channel Islands
The coronavirus pandemic dealt a hammer blow to travel in the Channel Islands. Lockdown led to flights being grounded and ferry crossings being cancelled, meaning holiday plans, business trips and visits to family and friends in the UK and further afield were scrapped.
As the number of cases across the Channel Islands is less than at the height of the pandemic, governments have begun to ease restrictions on travel - though some do remain in place.
Under an exemption with the UK government, islanders travelling there will not have to self-isolate on arrival in the UK but will be subject to the island’s testing rules on their return.
Those travelling to France from the Channel Islands have been told that any quarantine period on arrival will be purely voluntary.
Jersey's borders reopened on 3 July following a border testing trial which saw passengers tested at the airport.
Jersey is now operating on a traffic light system, categorising according to the risk of contracting Covid-19.
For destinations categorised as red, inbound passengers must take a test on arrival into Jersey and self isolate for 14 days.
For destinations categorised as amber, inbound passengers must take a test on arrival into Jersey and self isolate until day five, when they will have to take another test. If this returns a negative result, they will be able to leave self-isolation.
For destinations categorised as green, inbound passengers must take a test on arrival into Jersey but will not be required to self isolate.
The information page on the Government of Jersey website will be regularly updated and will also include passenger requirements for each specific location.
If results come back positive, they must spend 14 days in self-isolation.
Despite some arguing borders should not reopen, Ministers say it is not practical to prevent travel until a vaccine is developed.
Previously, the only passenger flights in and out of the island were 'lifeline services' to Gatwick and Southampton. Now, many commercial operators are taking bookings - though the head of the Jersey Consumer Council warns islanders to exercise caution as the situation is changeable.
Jersey Airport has also issued guidance to passengers on the changes they can expect at check-in, boarding and in the air.
A border testing station has also been created at Jersey’s Elizabeth Harbour ferry terminal - paving the way for ferry services to resume.
It means passengers, including on private boats, will be tested for coronavirus on arrival into the port.
Condor has announced that passengers will be required to wear face coverings while on board and has extended check-in times. The company will test other protective measures during two sailings in Guernsey.
GUERNSEY
While there have been no active cases in the Bailiwick of Guernsey for several months, the government has taken a more restrained approach to reopening of the island's borders.
The Chief Minister, Deputy Gavin St Pier, says the borders are Guernsey's 'best defence' against Covid-19 and, rather than move to a full reopening of the borders, the government will trial a seven-day scheme for arrivals into the island.
It means passengers will still be required to self-isolate for the mandatory 14-day period but will be able to leave quarantine if they test negative on the seventh day - though they must maintain social distancing as much as possible until the end of the 14-day period.
Those travelling through Guernsey to reach Alderney and Sark will not be able to take part in the pilot and must complete the mandatory 14-day isolation period.
In line with the trial, Condor is operating two sailings between Poole and Guernsey at the beginning of July. The company says it will use these sailings to test its safety measures, which will remain in place at every stage of the travel process.
Services will have a reduced passenger capacity on board, with a ship that would usually carry 850 people carrying just 250 to allow for social distancing under States advice. Passengers will be required to wear face coverings and check-in times will be extended.
Guernsey will also have an 'air bridge' with the Isle of Man, meaning people travelling between the jurisdictions will not have to self-isolate. Like Guernsey, the island has no recorded cases of Covid-19.
Commercial flights will be operated by Aurigny.
ALDERNEY, SARK AND HERM
Last but by no means least, what are the implications for the smaller Channel Islands?
There have been no recorded cases of coronavirus in Sark, Herm or Alderney but local businesses have been hit hard by the Bailiwick-wide lockdown measures introduced in March.
With off-island travel still yet to return to business as usual, the States of Guernsey have been promoting ‘Staycations’ to encourage islanders to make the most of what is on their doorstep.
Ferry sailings to and from Sark, Herm and Alderney have resumed, allowing people from across the Bailiwick to travel there for day trips or long weekends.
As a result, Aurigny have announced a wider schedule of flights to and from Alderney in the hope that mores islanders can enjoy what the island has to offer.