The schedule of essential ‘lifeline’ flights between Jersey, Southampton and London Gatwick has been extended until 19 July, but Senator John Le Fondré said that he expected airlines to be operating commercial flights before that point.
Those wishing to travel to France may also be able to do so from early July, he added.
More than 1,000 passengers arriving from Southampton and Gatwick have been tested for Covid-19 at the Airport during the course of a three-week trial, the Chief Minister said. No positive cases have resulted from the trial scheme, with a government spokesperson saying that only 10% of those arriving had declined the test and opted instead for a 14-day quarantine period.
The government’s agreement with Blue Islands to provide air links has been extended by three weeks, with a second flight to and from Gatwick added on a Thursday to the Tuesday service that had been in place previously. Southampton flights are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until 17 July.
The government spokesperson said that passengers who had booked flights from 28 June to 19 July would be contacted by Jersey’s Customs and Immigration Service, to ascertain if the need for travel fitted with current travel restrictions. Where travel criteria was not met, passengers would be contacted by Blue Islands regarding alternative arrangements.
Regarding the testing programme, the spokesperson said: ‘We are further developing our approach to the monitoring and enforcement of self-isolation as part of the Airport arrivals testing trial. In recent weeks, this has included compliance checks on those who are required to self-isolate.
‘Investigations into any isolation breaches are identified and followed up to ensure compliance is being followed. Individuals will be contacted by the Covid Testing and Tracing Team and, if required, will be visited by honorary police or Environmental Health officers.
‘We are committed to introducing a sustainable system which monitors compliance and enforcement of testing, in order to support future commercial travel and protect our Island health and wellbeing.’
The JEP has asked the government how many people are currently self-isolating.
