PCR tests no longer required for hospital admission

Monday 27 March 2023

Islanders will no longer be required to have a PCR test when being admitted to hospital or other care settings - but will instead need to take an LFT.

The change is one of a number of covid-19 'de-escalation' measures unveiled by the government today.

The changes — which will come into effect from 1 April — also include updates to mask wearing policy and isolation guidance.

Health, care, and emergency services will have autonomy to determine the requirements for masks for their staff and in their premises, based on the current level of risk.

Asymptomatic staff and inpatients in healthcare settings will no longer be tested daily, but anyone with symptoms will be managed in line with standard guidance.

Following a positive covid-19 test, all islanders will be advised to stay at home for five days, and to avoid vulnerable people for 10 days if possible. There will no longer be a requirement for two consecutive negative LFTs before returning to work for any employees.

LFT kits are still freely available to order online, however, it is anticipated that the universal offer of LFT kits will be removed, and all non-diagnostic testing will stop from the 30 June. Guernsey confirmed last week that free LFT kits will no longer be available in the island from 3 April.

Pictured: Jersey's Director of Public Health, Professor Peter Bradley.

These changes follow those that were announced in January and the government said that the latest guidance is considered proportionate to the level of risk covid-19 currently poses to the island and reflects an overall fall in demand and need for testing.

Director of Public Health, Professor Peter Bradley, said: "Our priority is and always will be the health and safety of islanders, and these changes that we are announcing today continue to reflect our approach to the sustained management of covid-19.

"I want to reassure islanders that we will continue to support them if they are unwell or concerned about covid-19. I urge everyone to continue following the guidance by staying at home and doing an LFT if you feel unwell."