Safer Travel policy changes from 4 January

23 December 2021

​From 00.01 Tuesday 4 January, there will be four changes to the Safer Travel Policy for passengers arriving into Jersey.

The definition of Fully Vaccinated at the border will be updated as outlined below:

• Aged 12 to 17, two doses of MHRA approved vaccine + two weeks
• Aged 18 and over, two doses + booster dose of MHRA approved vaccine + two weeks
  

Passengers who are not fully vaccinated can either complete a negative pre-departure PCR test within 72 hours before travel to Jersey or have a free PCR Test on arrival and isolate until a negative result is received (usually within 12 hours). This will now also include those who have recently recovered from a COVID infection which will no longer be accepted as an alternative to being fully vaccinated.

Further updates:

• Passengers aged 12 and over will be required to complete a pre departure travel form within 48 hours before arriving into Jersey (previously required from passengers aged 11 and over)
• The enhanced testing and isolation requirements for those who have travelled outside the Common Travel Area will no longer apply. All passengers will be subject to the same requirements regardless of travel history unless they have visited a UK Red List country
  

Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, said: "Earlier this month we announced new travel recommendations that would be implemented from 4 January following the emerging risks faced as a result of the Omicron variant. At this time, we announced that the definition of Fully Vaccinated would be updated in light of the evidence that only two doses of the vaccine offers reduced protection against the variant, particularly due to waning immunity if your second dose was administered some months ago.

"We will now also be making some further changes with effect from 4 January. This includes changing the age a passenger must complete a pre departure travel form from 11 to 12, this is so that it is in line with the age of vaccination eligibility.

"Additionally, those passengers arriving from outside of the CTA will not be treated any differently to those travelling from within the CTA. All passengers will be required to have a PCR test at the border and isolate until their day 0 negative test result unless they meet the updated definition of Fully Vaccinated or have completed a pre departure PCR test."