Travel to and from the Island has almost ground to a halt since a ten-day isolation rule for arriving passengers was introduced in December following a surge in Covid-19 cases in Jersey and the UK.
The restrictions, which classified everywhere in the UK a red zone, led to a huge drop in travel, and almost all plane and ferry services were cancelled.
It was widely expected that a resumption of the traffic-light system – under which regions and countries were classed as red, amber or green zones depending on case numbers – would be central to the new border plans.
Under the previous system, Islanders arriving from a green zone were required to isolate until they had received a negative result from their arrival test.
Travellers from amber regions had to isolate until they returned a negative result from their day-five test. And people coming from red zones had to isolate until their third test, taken on day ten, came back negative.
Fiona Kerley, managing director of the Ommaroo Hotel and a board member of the Jersey Hospitality Association, said that the hotel industry would not survive the summer without overseas visitors.
‘We have been operating in survival mode for some time, even with the government support, and this is unsustainable,’ she said.
‘There is a small market for staycations and they only fill a gap until visitors can return.’
She said she hoped today’s press conference would provide clarity for the industry and travellers.
‘We must make it clear to travellers when they can come in, otherwise they will book to visit another country which has a clear roadmap.’
Mrs Kerley said it was just as important that people were allowed to travel out of the Island.
‘This is not just about business. So many people need to get away to see family in the mainland and it is crucial for everyone’s mental health.’
She added: ‘The government needs to consider carefully which countries it creates travel corridors with for the benefit of Islanders and visitors alike.’
