Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

US adds Channel Island Jersey to ‘very high’ risk Covid destinations list

Four new locations added to the US health protection agency’s high risk list

Lucy Thackray
Tuesday 17 August 2021 12:50 BST
Comments
The island of Jersey has been added to the CDC’s high risk list
The island of Jersey has been added to the CDC’s high risk list (Jersey Tourism)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The US has added the Channel Island of Jersey to its list of ‘very high’ risk destinations for Covid-19.

The island joined Turkey, Montenegro and the Caribbean island of Dominica as new additions to the highest category, Level 4, on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Travel Recommendations List.

The change appears to be due to an update on the Jersey government’s website, which listed a 14-day rate of 452 cases per 100,000 people on 16 August.

The number of Covid cases in Jersey had previously been listed as ‘unknown’ by the CDC.

Locations move to the CDC’s highest-risk category when they exceed 500 cases per 100,000 residents in a 28-day period.

At the time of writing, Jersey had only published a 14-day figure for the previous month.

The CDC advises US travellers to avoid going to the locations on all of its high risk lists, and warns anyone travelling for essential purposes to ensure they’ve been fully vaccinated before visiting.

The island of Dominica jumped up three categories in the change, announced on Monday - it had previously been listed as Level 1, or low risk.

Turkey and Montenegro both moved up from ‘high risk’ category Level 3.

Mandatory mask-wearing was reintroduced in Jersey on 14 July following a surge in cases.

After a spike in infections around mid July, the island’s Chief Minister John Le Fondre announced that it is unlikely Covid restrictions will be lifted before September.

Current restrictions on the island include mandatory mask-wearing on all public transport and indoor spaces, a limit of 20 adults for indoor gatherings, and eating and drinking only being permitted when seated.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in