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The island will start to move out of full lockdown next week, meaning that households will once again be able to 'bubble' together, non-public facing businesses will be able to partially reopen, and takeaways will be back on the menu.
The Bailiwick entered lockdown on Saturday 23 January after four cases of Covid-19 from unknown community sources were identified and the UK variant of the virus was found to have spread through the island.
Active known case numbers peaked at 366 last Monday and have since plummeted to 123.
The CCA reviewed whether the move to Stage 1 of the Exit from Lockdown Strategy could be made earlier, however a continuing trickle of cases from unexplained community sources have made the authorities wary of easing off full lockdown restrictions too soon.
Pictured: It has been confirmed that Alderney - which has had just one positive case since the second wave hit Guernsey - will move to Stage 1 today (Thursday).
There was a single unexplained case on Monday and on Tuesday, while two cases have been identified so far this week from surveillance testing of frontline workers.
"This is a very small step forward, we are dipping our toe into the water," said CCA Chairman Peter Ferbrache of the move to Stage 1. "We emphasise this is not a gamble, we do not compromise with public safety."
It will also allow each household to ‘bubble’ with one other household. Outdoor gatherings of up to five people outside of a household bubble will also be permitted, provided they are socially distanced.
Some non-public facing workplaces will be able to operate with up to 10 members of staff for outdoor sites, and up to 5 members of staff for indoor sites, if their work cannot be done remotely. Places such as garden centres and DIY stores are not yet able to re-open. More details can be found HERE.
Deliveries and takeaways will be able to operate again in line with Public Health requirements.
All businesses will have to agree to comply with social distancing, hygiene and other requirements when they provide the States of notification of their intention to re-open next week.
Environmental Health will be carrying out checks of businesses, States of Guernsey CEO Paul Whitfield announced at yesterday's briefing.
Pictured: The latest Covid-19 testing results and case numbers.
CCA Chairman Peter Ferbrache added: “We know this lockdown has been far from easy, but the community has done a tremendous job in getting this more transmissible variant of the virus under control. But as we continue to see cases, including those where the source is not clear, we need to tread very carefully.
"When we do make the move, it is still a very limited ‘unlocking’ to ensure we do not see another sudden rise in cases. But it’s a positive step forward and does allow us to see some of our loved ones again, and allow some parts of the economy to get back to work in a careful, controlled way.”
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