Condor Ferries will run two sailings between Poole and Guernsey early next month as part of the controlled trial of incoming and outgoing passenger travel.
The sailings, which will take place on Sunday 5th and Wednesday 8th July, will carry a reduced number of passengers and social distancing procedures will be in place for check-in, boarding, seating and disembarkation.
The ship, which has a maximum capacity for eight hundred and fifty passengers, will carry just two hundred and fifty on the trial.
All passengers will be required to wear face coverings for travel and check-in times are being extended.
Elwyn Dop, Condor’s Executive Director - Operations, said: ‘We are aware that there are a number of people who really need to get to the UK, regardless of the requirement to quarantine on return, now that non-essential travel is allowed.
‘It is for this reason that we have been in dialogue with Public Health and the States to put on these very specific sailings and allow those passengers to travel.’
The company’s safety protocols include limits on the number of travellers in the public lounges, floor distancing markers and barriers installed with food and beverage outlets to operate as selfservice with card payments only.
All passengers will be required to wear face coverings for travel and check-in times are being extended.
Mr Dop added: ‘These limited sailing dates will initially allow us to test our safety procedures and assess the impact on all aspects of our vessel operation. And crucially, they will allow the States to pilot 7-day testing for returning passengers on specified sailings. We are very grateful to the States of Guernsey for guiding us through this so thoroughly and happy to support their efforts to trial and assess safe, sustainable options for moving towards phase 6.
‘Any permanent restart realistically needs a further easing of quarantine and travel restrictions and we have no timings on these at this stage but we hope this pilot is successful and will take us that step closer.’
Guernsey hosts global Indoor Bowls competition
Guernsey rugby player selected for Scotland under 17s
Record number of seal pups being looked after by the GSPCA
Inspection reports Hautes Capelles School in Guernsey as 'good'
Route for Guernsey's Liberation Day Cavalcade revealed
Herm CEO stepping down
2,000 tonne works will enable small Guernsey lane to reopen
Politicians vote to go ahead with Jersey wind farm project
