Jersey and Guernsey, the two main English Channel Islands – except for White – are much closer to France than to Great Britain, so there has always been a strong flow of French day-trippers from the nearby shores of Normandy and Brittany. However, lately, these trips were complicated because, in compliance with the new regulations arising from Brexit, it was mandatory to use a passport to cross the borders, at least in Europe.
These three years with fewer tourists in Jersey were enough. So the rules for tourists have been relaxed – from April 22 – initially until September 3 – on the British side, Jersey will allow the entry of the French – only French – just by providing an identity card.
Obviously, it is known that this started on April 22nd, but what ends in September will be seen in that same month because if it goes well, there is probably no way of going back.
Data from the shipping companies linking France to the islands say that the demand for travel fell between 40 and 60 percent. Not all French people have a valid passport and even less to make a trip of a few hours. Tourism is now expected to increase by 50,000 visitors to the island.
Jersey and Guernsey, each for their part, have their own legal regime in which their legislation replaces the British whenever it exists. In other words, they can adopt measures that correct those that apply in the main territory and, if they do not, the same applies to Great Britain.
It is not known who has taken more interest in making travel difficult. For example, it is the European Union that requires passport stamping, while in Great Britain it is not. But on both sides, at least in these years of Brexit, there has been a lot of emphasis on treating the other party as just another traveler, when closeness is evident.
