Alderney starts to shut down

Friday 20 March 2020

A number of public buildings in Alderney are beginning to close, while businesses are taking steps to continue providing their services to customers across the island as they try and stay clear of corona virus.

So far there is only one person confirmed to have covid-19 in the Bailiwick, and they are in Guernsey.

A decision has been taken to close Bailiwick schools from today until at least after the Easter holidays, as test results are now taking too long to come back from the UK so the Director of Public Health doesn't have accurate information to hand.

However, there is no indication yet that there are any covid-19 patients in Alderney.

Despite that, anyone with cold or flu like symptoms is asked to stay home, and to definitely not visit the hospital or doctor's surgery.

While critical services need to be maintained, the decision has also been taken to close the States of Alderney General Office, the Court Office, the Visit Alderney Office and St Anne's Church and the Methodist Church. All church services across the Bailiwick are suspended until further notice as well.

Court hearings are continuing, and those involved will be informed about how that will work during this time.

For registering any births or deaths, either the midwife or the undertaker will give advice when needed.

The Alderney Chamber of Commerce is compiling a list of businesses offering services during this time of change.

This includes restaurants and shops which are still open but are now doing deliveries, or which have amended their opening hours.

Others are offering takeaways for collection.

For anyone wanting to travel to Alderney, there are now Bailiwick-wide rules in place.

Anyone travelling to the Bailiwick must self-isolate for 14 days regardless of if they have any symptoms. 

Travel between the islands within the Bailiwick is allowed, without a need to self isolate at the moment.