My 2020 Scilly Holiday.
Last updated: 03/07/2020
We're all pleased to welcome you all back to our fantastic little island. Whilst you have all been living the new way of life for some time, it's all new to us so please bear with us whilst we find our feet!
We will try to keep this page as up to date as possible but always follow the most recent government advice.
Here are the most important things to know about your holiday this year...
We're all pleased to welcome you all back to our fantastic little island. Whilst you have all been living the new way of life for some time, it's all new to us so please bear with us whilst we find our feet!
We will try to keep this page as up to date as possible but always follow the most recent government advice.
Here are the most important things to know about your holiday this year...
Before you set off...
Make sure you have travel/holiday insurance.
Make sure that you and all members of your party are fit and well enough to travel. Please do not travel if you or any member of your party:
Put in a weekly shopping order with St. Martin's Stores to reduce the number of times you need to visit the shop. Most accommodation providers will collect this for you.
Many accommodation providers will be asking you to carry your own luggage to your transport so you might want to consider bringing more smaller items of luggage rather than one big heavy suitcase.
Make sure you pack:
Where possible, travel by private transport. If you begin showing signs of coronavirus or if you are contacted by Test & Trace you will not be permitted to use public transport to get home.
Make sure that you and all members of your party are fit and well enough to travel. Please do not travel if you or any member of your party:
- are experiencing any coronavirus symptoms
- are self-isolating as a result of coronavirus symptoms or sharing a household with somebody with symptoms
- are clinically extremely vulnerable and cannot shield during your journey
- have been in contact with anyone who has the virus
- have been advised by the NHS test and trace service that you should self-isolate
Put in a weekly shopping order with St. Martin's Stores to reduce the number of times you need to visit the shop. Most accommodation providers will collect this for you.
Many accommodation providers will be asking you to carry your own luggage to your transport so you might want to consider bringing more smaller items of luggage rather than one big heavy suitcase.
Make sure you pack:
- face coverings - these are now mandatory on Skybus, Scillonian III and Penzance Helicopters, shuttle buses & boats.
- hand sanitiser
- at least 14 extra days worth of any medication or medical supplies
- snacks and drinks for the Scillonian - the onboard cafe is currently closed
- most accommodation providers will be removing non essential items such as books, games and dvds so you might want to bring your own entertainment!
Where possible, travel by private transport. If you begin showing signs of coronavirus or if you are contacted by Test & Trace you will not be permitted to use public transport to get home.
Travelling to Scilly & St. Martin's
As of 15th June 2020 you must wear a face covering on public transport. You can view the government guidelines for using public transport here...
All Skybus, Scillonian III and Penzance Helicopter passengers will be required to wear a face covering throughout their journey. This includes the shuttle buses, checking in at terminal buildings and whilst boarding and disembarking the ship.
Skybus, Penzance Helicopters and Scillonian III will currently not be allowing any passengers with symptoms of coronavirus or those that have been contacted through test and trace to travel.
Face coverings must also be worn on the inter-island tripper boats and jet boats.
Please note that the waiting room on St. Mary's quay will be closed and you will not be able to leave your luggage there.
Isles of Scilly Travel have put together some handy guides:
Scillonian Travel Guide
Skybus Travel Guide
Tresco Boat Services have also put together a guide for travelling with them:
Safe travel with Tresco Boat Services Guide
All Skybus, Scillonian III and Penzance Helicopter passengers will be required to wear a face covering throughout their journey. This includes the shuttle buses, checking in at terminal buildings and whilst boarding and disembarking the ship.
Skybus, Penzance Helicopters and Scillonian III will currently not be allowing any passengers with symptoms of coronavirus or those that have been contacted through test and trace to travel.
Face coverings must also be worn on the inter-island tripper boats and jet boats.
Please note that the waiting room on St. Mary's quay will be closed and you will not be able to leave your luggage there.
Isles of Scilly Travel have put together some handy guides:
Scillonian Travel Guide
Skybus Travel Guide
Tresco Boat Services have also put together a guide for travelling with them:
Safe travel with Tresco Boat Services Guide
Arriving on St. Martin's
When you arrive on St. Martin's you will more than likely be expected to collect your bags from the tripper boat and carry them to your awaiting transport. Unfortunately you will not be offered a lift to your accommodation, but your bags will be taken up for you.
Accommodation providers will have extra cleaning measures in place so you may find that you are not able to enter your holiday cottage or chalet until much later in the day than normal.
When you arrive, there might not be anywhere for you to store your luggage or for you to shelter whilst you wait for your accommodation to be ready. Make sure you pack your waterproofs close to hand as you could be in for a soggy wait!
Accommodation providers will have extra cleaning measures in place so you may find that you are not able to enter your holiday cottage or chalet until much later in the day than normal.
When you arrive, there might not be anywhere for you to store your luggage or for you to shelter whilst you wait for your accommodation to be ready. Make sure you pack your waterproofs close to hand as you could be in for a soggy wait!
During your stay
- Maintain social distancing at all times.
- Make sure you wash your hands frequently.
- Try to keep visits to St. Martin's stores at an absolute minimum and try not to go more than once a day. We cannot stress enough how important it is to protect the staff at the stores from the virus. Our shop is vital and vulnerable, you can't go somewhere else to get food if it is forced to close!
- Keep a daily diary of where you've been just in case you are contacted by NHS Test & Trace.
- Enjoy your holiday!
What happens if I become ill on holiday?
If you begin showing symptoms of Covid-19 or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace whilst on holiday please immediately isolate (along with the rest of your party) and get in touch (via phone or email, not in person!) with your accommodation provider who will let you know what to do.
The Council of the Isles of Scilly have put together a list of frequently asked questions and detailed advice about what to do if you begin experiencing coronavirus symptoms on holiday.
Please click here for full details...
Anyone showing severe symptoms of the virus will need to be airlifted to the mainland via Cornwall Air Ambulance, the Search and Rescue Helicopter or in exceptional circumstances, the Royal Navy helicopter.
The Council of the Isles of Scilly have put together a list of frequently asked questions and detailed advice about what to do if you begin experiencing coronavirus symptoms on holiday.
Please click here for full details...
Anyone showing severe symptoms of the virus will need to be airlifted to the mainland via Cornwall Air Ambulance, the Search and Rescue Helicopter or in exceptional circumstances, the Royal Navy helicopter.
The evacuation service
The evacuation service is a new scheme which has been approved by the Director of Public Health
Cornwall and the Council of the Isles of Scilly. The scheme aims to provide reassurance to visitors to
the Isles of Scilly if they develop Coronavirus during their holiday and enables the islands to meet
government guidance when on holiday.
The service will provide free private transport back to Penzance for a visitor (and their holiday party)
who tests positive during their stay or is advised to self-isolate having been contacted by NHS Test
and Trace. The service will also ensure that the visitors have a plan in place to get home safely and to
minimise infection en route.
In all cases, visitors must be able to demonstrate they can continue their onward journey
from Penzance in private transport to their home address and not rely on public transport
for any part of their journey.
The service is funded by a partnership between the Council of the Isles of Scilly, Tresco Estate and
the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company. The partnership was formed in response to concerns raised by
islanders and visitors over how to meet government guidance and best support visitors and the local
community.
Cornwall and the Council of the Isles of Scilly. The scheme aims to provide reassurance to visitors to
the Isles of Scilly if they develop Coronavirus during their holiday and enables the islands to meet
government guidance when on holiday.
The service will provide free private transport back to Penzance for a visitor (and their holiday party)
who tests positive during their stay or is advised to self-isolate having been contacted by NHS Test
and Trace. The service will also ensure that the visitors have a plan in place to get home safely and to
minimise infection en route.
In all cases, visitors must be able to demonstrate they can continue their onward journey
from Penzance in private transport to their home address and not rely on public transport
for any part of their journey.
The service is funded by a partnership between the Council of the Isles of Scilly, Tresco Estate and
the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company. The partnership was formed in response to concerns raised by
islanders and visitors over how to meet government guidance and best support visitors and the local
community.
Stay Alert > Control the Virus > Save Lives
An outbreak of the virus on Scilly has some very different implications to an outbreak on the mainland which is why we are all working hard to keep everyone safe whilst making sure that you can still enjoy your much awaited holiday.
It's good to have you all back, the island just hasn't been the same without you!
An outbreak of the virus on Scilly has some very different implications to an outbreak on the mainland which is why we are all working hard to keep everyone safe whilst making sure that you can still enjoy your much awaited holiday.
It's good to have you all back, the island just hasn't been the same without you!