18 August 2021

Legal requirements for quarantining in the Falkland Islands

Quarantine helps protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have Covid-19. While morally we each have a responsibility to do what we can to keep each other safe, the requirements of the Infectious Diseases Control Regulations 2021 means that there are significant legal consequences for people who are found to contravene the law, including a fine of up to £2,000, imprisonment for up to three months, or both.

As we have seen a small number of positive cases in recent weeks, the Falkland Islands Government would like to remind people that any apparent breach of quarantine regulations will be investigated by the police and, if a criminal offence is found to have been committed, further steps will be taken.

All passengers arriving in the Falkland Islands are provided with detailed information on the rules they must comply with, and there is no excuse for being unaware of your personal and household requirements under the law.

The current regulations came into force on 8 August 2021 and reviewed every two months to ensure that they remain fit for purpose. In terms of quarantine, the current regulations state:

• The standard period of quarantine is 10 days, but there are 5- and 8-day test to release options for all arrivals by sea and air, which people can choose to undertake if they are eligible
• Children aged over 6 must be included in the testing regime if adults in quarantine with them wish to take advantage of the 8-day test to release option – children under 6 do not need to be tested and will be released from quarantine if their caregiver tests negative on days 2 and 8
• On arrival in the Falkland Islands, everyone must travel to their quarantine accommodation in government-designated transport or, if using a private vehicle, must either travel alone or with others who will also be going into quarantine
• People in quarantine must not share their living accommodation or other facilities with anyone who is not in quarantine with them
• People in quarantine cannot go beyond the boundaries of their property, including for exercise
• Time spent at sea on a vessel which has had no contact with other people or vessels since leaving port will count towards time in quarantine – people arriving from sea will also be able to move to shore to complete quarantine already started at sea
• People quarantining on a vessel are treated as quarantining together

The Falkland Islands Government provides regular updates on Covid-19, including quarantine measures, and all information can be found on our website https://www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19/