Vaughan Gething MS, Minister for Health and Social Services
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
In the last week our NHS Wales Test Trace Protect service has identified multiple separate clusters linked to the Greek island of Zante/Zakynthos which currently has no returning quarantine restrictions. There are currently 6 clusters amounting to over 30 cases in the last week from 4 flights, of which 2 of these flights landed in England.
There are concerns from our public health teams that the current advice and control measures for returning travellers are insufficient. Unfortunately our Consultants in Communicable Disease Control have several examples of Covid-19 positive travellers who have not self-isolated on return to Wales. That is a real concern for all of us.
Public Health Wales have expressed direct concerns about the public health risk posed by passengers returning to Cardiff this evening from Zante/Zakynthos. I share that concern. It is almost certain that travellers returning to Wales from areas of higher Covid-19 incidence will lead to further seeding of infections within Wales. Travel into Wales from mainland Europe drove the first wave of Covid-19.
Without action it is likely that there will be significant health and economic impacts arising from new clusters of infections and renewed disease transmission in Wales. I have therefore agreed the following actions:
- All passengers on the flight from Zante/Zakynthos to Cardiff this evening will be given a letter before leaving the airport requesting that they self-isolate for 14 days due to the risk of unknowingly spreading Covid-19 to others.
- All passengers will be offered a Covid-19 antigen test within 48 hours of their return and will be offered a repeat test 8 days after returning home.
I am aware that travellers may be returning to Wales from Zante/Zakynthos this evening or tomorrow from other airports outside of Wales. I ask that these travellers self-isolate for 14 days on their return and request a test once they arrive home and to repeat the test 8 days after returning home.
In addition, I have pressed for an early meeting with the UK government and devolved nations tomorrow to consider the latest assessment of risk by the Joint Biosecurity Centre. There is an obvious need for us to consider the potential for changes to the Regulations in Wales which would require travellers arriving in the UK from Greece and possibly elsewhere to self-isolate on their return.
This is a dynamic situation and I will continue to review what measures may be required in the future.
I will of course keep members updated.