Covid-19 testing of travellers (FOI)

Request

My questions relate to the mandatory 14 day isolation period for those returning to Jersey from abroad prior to airport testing being introduced.

A

Between Monday 30 March (when Jersey was put into lockdown) and Friday 29 May (when optional airport testing was introduced), how many people travelled into Jersey and were therefore required to complete a 14 day isolation period?

B

What kind of checks were carried out on these people to make sure they were actually isolating (calls, random checks, texts, emails and so on)? Please detail any other measures that have been put in place by the Government of Jersey to ensure people are abiding by the rules.

C

In the same time period, how many checks were carried out on those who were supposed to be isolating?

D

How many fines or other punishments have been issued for those breaking an isolation period of any kind?

E

How many complaints have been received about people breaking an isolation period of any kind?

Response

A

Jersey Customs and Immigration Service (JCIS) recorded that 989 people arrived in Jersey between 30 March and 28 May 2020.

During this period the Government of Jersey’s Covid-19 policy allowed for specified individuals, such as critical workers, to be exempt from carrying out the mandatory 14 day isolation period.

Therefore, 82 of the total arrivals were not required to self-isolate.

B and C

The Government of Jersey (GOJ) and States of Jersey Police (SOJP) did not carry out any routine checks during this period. However, investigations were carried out, resources permitting, following reports received from the public regarding parties they suspected were not in compliance with the self-isolation requirements.

JCIS also collected details of all passengers arriving on the Blue Islands ‘lifeline’ service for contact tracing purposes.

D

There have been no breaches of any type of isolation period brought to the Magistrate’s Court therefore no fines have been issued as at 30 June 2020.

E

The GOJ have received 47 complaints in relation to people not isolating after returning from travelling.

417 complaints were also received in relation to people not adhering to lockdown and general isolation requirements.