Covid travel: Passport scheme announced and update on rules for children

AERIALS Picture: DAVID FERGUSON Jersey Airport

From Monday 7 June, a blanket green policy for all Islanders under the age of 18 who are travelling from green or amber regions will be adopted over the summer months.

Children under the age of 11 arriving from a green or amber region:

  • Will not be required to register for travel using the pre-travel registration form
  • Will not be required to undergo PCR testing.

Islanders aged 11 to 17 arriving from a green or amber region:

  • Will be required to register for travel using the pre-travel registration form
  • Will be required to undergo a PCR test upon arrival and on day 8
  • Will be required to isolate until the negative result of their test on arrival.

Islanders under the age of 18 who are travelling from a red region will continue to be classified as a red arrival and must follow the ten-day isolation guidance, with red-regime testing requirements for those aged 11 to 17.

The policy has been developed in consultation with the Children’s Commissioner.

Public Health will continue to review the policy in line with progress of the vaccination programme.

Ministers have also announced further details of the first phase of the Covid Status Certification for Islanders.

By Thursday 10 June, secure paper certificates will be delivered to all Islanders who have received their second dose of the vaccine on or before Friday 28 May.

This paper format of certification will provide Islanders with secure written proof that they have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. This may be required by other countries for several reasons, including entry at the border.

Following the initial mailout, the programme will automatically send a secure printed certificate to those who have received their second dose of the vaccine. Islanders should expect their paper certification to arrive within two weeks after their second dose.

The updated Safer Travel Policy allows for fully vaccinated passengers to have reduced testing and isolation requirements, known as a ‘green light’ status when entering Jersey from Friday, 28 May. Arriving passengers with a ‘green light’ classification will not be required to isolate if coming from a green or amber region but will need a PCR test upon arrival.

Islanders who have received two doses of the vaccine in Jersey will not need to show their Covid Status Certification letter when travelling within the UK or entering Jersey.

Those Islanders who wish to declare that they are fully vaccinated to benefit from a ‘green light’ status will be asked to input their Social Security number into their pre-travel registration form before arriving in Jersey. This will allow their vaccination status to be automatically verified when they arrive into the Island.

Visitors to Jersey with a green or amber travel history, who have been fully vaccinated in the Common Travel Area (the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Ireland), will be able to enter the Island with a ‘green light’ status providing they complete the pre-travel registration form and provide approved certification from their country of residence.

Health Minister Richard Renouf, said: ‘I’m very pleased at the progress that has been made to ensure we are making Covid Status Certificates available for those Jersey residents who are fully vaccinated. Paper Covid Status Certificates will be sent out at the beginning of June for Islanders to demonstrate secure evidence of vaccination.

‘It’s also very welcome news that fully vaccinated Islanders travelling over the half term break who wish to take advantage of reduced testing and isolation requirements on return to the Island, will not need a hard copy of their certificate to receive the benefits of our updated Safer Travel Policy.

‘Between now and when the certificates arrive, I’d like to remind Islanders to not contact their GP surgery or the vaccination team for evidence of vaccination. Certificates are being delivered to the address that Customer and Local Services hold for individuals.’

Islanders who have recently moved home and not updated their address with CLS should do so online at gov.je/contactdetails or by calling Customer and Local Services on 444444 between 8.30am and 5pm Monday-Friday.

Anyone who does not wish to receive a paper Covid Status Certificate providing secure evidence of vaccination can opt out by contacting the Coronavirus helpline on: 0800 735 5566.

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