CCA Chairman freely accepts he "should have used a face covering" at meeting with Catholic leaders

Saturday 13 November 2021

Deputy Peter Ferbrache - who yesterday wrote to islanders appealing for better use of face coverings - openly admits that he should have worn a mask at a breakfast event with Catholic leaders held nine days after he first "strongly recommended" wearing masks indoors where social distancing was not possible.

On 21 October, faced with a sudden increase in the number of covid-19 cases to 233, the Civil Contingencies Authority, which Deputy Ferbrache chairs, said: "Face coverings are strongly recommended in settings where physical distancing is not possible, where there are close crowds or where individuals need to work in very close proximity with colleagues, service users or customers."

On 30 October, Deputy Ferbrache and several other States' members declined to wear masks at a breakfast meeting with local and national Catholic leaders at the Old Government House Hotel. Pictures of the event were widely circulated and showed attendees in close proximity without face coverings.

Yesterday, with the number of covid-19 cases having risen to nearly 400, Deputy Ferbrache wrote to islanders imploring them to step up their efforts to stop the spread of covid-19 and avoid face masks being made mandatory.

In the letter, he wrote: "Let’s face it, the use of face coverings is poor. Even in the sorts of places where they are recommended - crowded places, places with poor ventilation, places where it’s hard to socially distance – very few people are using them." 

When approached by Express late on Friday, Deputy Ferbrache quickly and freely accepted that his own compliance with the Authority's recommendations had "not been perfect", including at the breakfast event with Catholic leaders, but said he had since redoubled his efforts to be vigilant and fully understood the need for government to "lead by example".

‘Do as I say.’ Perhaps? ???? pic.twitter.com/wDwoTONmSN

— Gavin St Pier ???????? (@gavinstpier) November 12, 2021

Pictured: Express' report on Deputy Peter Ferbrache's open letter to the Bailiwick, in which he implored islanders to wear masks as recommended, prompted his predecessor, Deputy Gavin St Pier, to emphasise the importance of political leaders being seen doing what they are asking the island to do.

"Yes, I'm happy to admit that I wish I had worn a face covering on that occasion," said Deputy Ferbrache. 

"We had just finished a meal and masks were not worn when eating and we then walked to the opposite side of the room where the photograph was taken. The venue was large and well-ventilated, but in hindsight I still should have used a face covering, particularly when gathering with other members for the photo. 

"Since that meeting I have made a concerted effort to ensure I am using my face covering in all recommended settings as those of us in government must lead by example, but even then I know I’ve not been perfect."

Following the release of Deputy Ferbrache's open letter yesterday, his predecessor as Chairman of the Civil Contingencies Authority, Deputy Gavin St Pier, said it was important for members of the public to see their political leaders doing what they were asking others to do.

"GuernseyTogether achieved amazing levels of community compliance because everyone understood what was being asked of them and why - and had confidence in the decision-making process," said Deputy St Pier.

"That requires the States to walk-the-walk in their own conduct, demonstrating best practice. So the change signalled is to be welcomed.

"My fear is, though, that in practice there is now too little time before the meeting of the CCA next week for any changes in community behaviour to materially impact the recent upward trajectory of cases. So it may be too late to avoid mandatory action, which would be unfortunate."

Deputy Ferbrache criticised the questions put to him by Express.

"I think this enquiry is more a matter of political point-scoring by Deputy St Pier and former Deputy Fallaize, and I’d ask both to focus their efforts on helping me and the CCA encourage greater use of face coverings and help us all prevent the spread of covid-19, which is in the interests of the Bailiwick as a whole," he said.