The testing centre at the Elizabeth Terminal will be moving to the Airport drive-through from Monday 14 February. Additionally, several changes have been made to the lateral flow testing (LFT) programmes including the removal of the requirement to submit a negative LFT result.
This forms part of Jersey’s COVID-19 de-escalation plans announced by Competent Authority Ministers last month.
Harbour testing centre to move to airport drive-through
From Monday 14 February, all PCR tests will be carried out at the Airport drive-through in St Peter.
The change is due to travel and border controls returning to a normal pre-pandemic status, and the opportunity to use the Airport drive-through location will allow the Harbour to operate as normal and return the space currently being used by the testing team to the port users.
Any Islander who had a booked PCR appointment confirmed for the harbour from Monday 14 February should attend the Airport drive-through instead on the same day and time as advised.
Islanders are expected to use private transport to travel to the Airport drive-through and must not use public transport (bus or taxi).
Changes to the Lateral Flow Testing Programme
Islanders are no longer required to report negative LFT results on the online portal, unless it is to leave isolation early. Islanders must still register a positive LFT online and book a confirmatory PCR test.
This change to reporting is intended to make testing more convenient before leaving home, as all Islanders are being urged to register on the free home testing programme and test themselves at least twice a week. Islanders can re-order kits on gov.je.
Additionally, Islanders who are visiting care homes, the hospital, the prison, healthcare, or high-risk settings are now being asked to take an LFT before visiting. This should be in addition to the twice-weekly LFTs already carried out at home.
Separate guidance has been provided to staff in critical and national infrastructure, health settings, care homes, the prison, domiciliary care agencies, GPs, dentists, and the emergency services, about how regularly they are expected to take an LFT before work. In general, it is advised that these staff take a daily LFT at home before the start of their shift.
Education staff and pupils over pre-school age have also been advised to take a daily LFT before going into education settings. Those below pre-school age are advised to take a LFT at least twice weekly as part of the general Island-wide guidance in the home testing programme.
Islanders experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 must not go to school or work and should book a PCR test. If an Islander has a positive LFT they must isolate, submit their positive result online and book a confirmatory PCR test. Isolation will begin from the date the positive LFT was submitted.
Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf, said: “The harbour testing centre will be relocating to the airport drive-through as we scale down on numerous COVID-19 measures. This will allow the Elizabeth Harbour Terminal to return to normal as we expect travel to increase over the spring and summer.
“De-escalation of measures is only possible due to the island’s excellent vaccination coverage and the efforts by Islanders to ensure they have a negative COVID status before leaving home. It is therefore vital that Islanders who are not yet registered onto the free home testing programme, sign up today. Regular screening through LFTs means that we can pick up positive cases quickly and ensure that transmission in the community and workplaces is kept to a minimum.”
Director of Testing and Tracing, Rachel Williams, said “I would like to thank our testing colleagues for all their hard work and commitment over the past two years. Their professionalism and flexibility is very much appreciated, and our teams have helped keep our Island safe during the pandemic.
“Islanders have been enthusiastic in their uptake of the home LFT programme, and many of our positive cases are being identified through the subsequent PCR test. Please continue to log your positive LFT results, so we can ensure your isolation period is correct.”
Government of Jersey News Release.