MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands updates its Travel Advisory concerning COVID-19

King Edward Memorial Hospital in Stanley

The Government of the Falklands updated its advice on travelling to the Islands, in response to a further change in the global COVID-19 situation. The Italian Government this week announced emergency measures across the entire country in response to the virus.

The Falkland Islands Government is now changing its travel advisory to reflect this new status in Italy.

All passengers arriving in the Falkland Islands by air are routinely required, by law, to complete a declaration about countries they have come from or visited recently.

If you are from or have recently visited a Category 1 country/area (as described below), and are not a Falkland Islands resident, you should not travel to the Falkland Islands.

Anyone (including local residents) who has come from or who has recently visited a Category 1 country/area will be interviewed, and medically examined on arrival.

You will be required to self-isolate for at least 14 days, even if you have not had any symptoms, as we are not currently able to test you within the Falkland Islands to rule out Covid-19.

Category 1 countries/areas are as follows:

Wuhan City and Hubei Province, China

Iran

Daegu or Cheongdo, South Korea

Any area within Italy

If you have come from, or have recently visited, Category 2 countries/areas you do not need to undertake any special measures on arrival in the Falkland Islands, but, if you develop symptoms, you should then self-isolate immediately (even if your symptoms are mild), and call King Edward Memorial Hospital for advice on +500 28000.

Category 2 Countries/areas are as follows:

Cambodia

China (outside category 1 areas)

Hong Kong

Japan

Laos

Macau

Malaysia

Myanmar

Singapore

South Korea (outside category 1 areas)

Taiwan

Thailand

Vietnam

Anyone who has relevant symptoms on arrival AND who has a relevant travel history (to category 1 or category 2 countries/areas); will be isolated immediately on arrival, under public health legislation.

The relevant symptoms include a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath.

This travel advice, and the list of countries affected is subject to change – please check our website for updates www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19