Summary of the key changes announced
- Mask wearing compulsory in public indoor spaces (from Tuesday 1st December).
- Work from home unless it is absolutely necessary to attend your workplace (from Monday 7th December). Workforce screening will be intensified by testing people more often and by including more groups of workers in the screening programme.
- Over 70s and the vulnerable must not socialise with others indoors.
Why have Jersey Covid numbers suddenly increased?
As Jersey’s number of active Covid cases sky-rockets from 200 to 247 (and since writing on Monday night, to 278 on Tuesday – the biggest single day rise) with a further 1112 awaiting their test results, there are many questions being asked about ‘that party’ at the Royal Yacht Hotel that has been cited by the Jersey Government as the cause of a cluster of cases, believing to have caused more than 500 people to be in isolation because of it.
With more than 2000 people now self-isolating in the island, that means that a quarter of them are isolating because of the one event – including families and whole school year groups.
The Royal Yacht is already expecting a fine after admitting that they operated their spa when restrictions prohibited it. If the venue is guilty of ‘the party’ event as well, islanders will expect swift action for their apparent disregard of the rules and putting islanders lives at risk.
To be clear, it’s not just the ‘Royal Yacht’ event that has caused people to isolate. Two other ‘parties’ are reported to have also caused 630 and 530 people to isolate.
Interestingly, given the warnings from both the Chief Minister and the Minister for Health and Social Services about socialising in pubs, bars and restaurants, there have been no additional measures announced for the hospitality sector. The Chief Minister intimated that this will be reviewed in the forthcoming days.
Masks compulsory, at last
After weeks of dithering and seemingly acting like Dad’s Army’s Sergeant Wilson, it will be compulsory to wear a mask in supermarkets, shops, post offices, banks, on public transport, in health care settings and when using close-contact services such as hairdressers and beauticians.
The new law to make masks compulsory will come into effect on 1st December at 10am. Jersey’s Health Minister has signed an Order that makes this change, after States Members voted overwhelmingly to support this stance.
The requirement to wear masks in public indoor spaces where physical distancing and other measures cannot be guaranteed is one of a number of public health measures that, together, reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 and minimise its spread in the community.
Masks remain strongly recommended where people are likely to be in close contact with others outside their household, particularly when this is likely to be for longer than 15 minutes. Wearing a mask and ensuring ventilation when you share lifts with others is particularly important. A requirement to wear masks in additional settings is being reviewed, and masks may be required in more places.
An exemption certificate will be available for people whose health conditions mean they cannot safely wear masks. Application forms will be available online and from a number of agreed public locations, like parish halls, larger supermarkets and the bus station. Mask exemption cards will be issued to those who have filled out an application form.
More changes to come?
Later on this week, more changes are expected to the guidance that will further restrict gathering sizes and the physical distancing guidance.
