Update 19/3/2020: Further to details below The States of Guernsey published details concerning Critical Travel and Compassionate and Medical Travel including details applying to Critical Workers to whom specific exemptions may apply. More details on SoG website here.
The Director of Public Health is advising all Guernsey residents to consider avoiding all non-essential travel to and from the Bailiwick.
This follows the decision by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to declare a COVID-19 Pandemic.
Dr Nicola Brink yesterday informed the States of Guernsey Strategic Coordinating Group that, following analysis of the numbers of confirmed cases worldwide and the evidence of probable community spread, people should be advised not to travel to or from the Bailiwick for non-essential reasons.
While this does not mean there are any new restrictions imposed on travel, it is now the Director of Public Health’s clear advice that Islanders and visitors should avoid travelling into and out of the Bailiwick for non-essential reasons with immediate effect. The Director of Public Health is advising:
Businesses need to 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 is asked to remind them of the measures the Bailiwick has in place to manage the coronavirus and to ask them not to travel if they are unwell with a fever, cough or shortness of breath.
Islanders who are over 80 years of age, or over 65 with underlying health conditions, are asked to consider carefully any travel plans. The Director of Public Health is advising that islanders falling into this category do not travel on cruise ships or take long-distance flights.