Jersey now keeping covid isolation laws until the end of April

Sunday 20 March 2022

Jersey is pushing back the date when it plans to remove the legal requirement for people to isolate following a positive test for covid-19.

Ministers in Jersey originally intended to lift isolation laws on 31 March, but they are now delaying that move until 30 April following the spread of BA.2, a more transmissible sub-variant of the omicron variant of the virus.

Guernsey removed the legal requirement to isolate with the virus on 17 February - four-and-a-half weeks ago. 

On Friday, the number of known active cases of covid-19 in Jersey stood at 2,378. That is around 200 cases fewer than the number of known active cases in Guernsey as of Tuesday. Jersey's population is estimated to be around 108,000 - about 45,000 more than Guernsey's.

However, actual cases are likely to be higher in both islands. In Guernsey, Dr Nicola Brink, Medical Officer of Health, has suggested the actual number of infections could be as high as 5,000 and may still be increasing. 

Announcing the extension by one month of the legal requirement to isolate, Jersey's Deputy Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ivan Muscat, said the island "must ensure we do not have a spike in severe disease". 

Jersey's Health Minister, Deputy Richard Renouf, said: "I would...like to issue a strong reminder to all islanders that we are not post-covid - we are post-emergency. This is an important distinction to be aware of."

Pictured: Jersey's Health Minister, Deputy Richard Renouf.

A combination of the identification of the more transmissible BA.2 sub-variant of omicron, as well as Jersey’s phased de-escalation from covid, means infection rates and hospitalisations have increased since the earlier decision was taken at the end of January.

Dr Muscat said: “The decision to extend the mandatory isolation requirement will allow our spring booster component of the vaccination programme to make significant inroads towards completion of vaccinating those who are most at risk of being very unwell with covid. 

“This extra month will also better permit those who have not yet completed their vaccination schedule to do so. In particular, it is very important that those over 50 who have not had their second or third doses do so as soon as possible.

“Although reducing risk through vaccination is the mainstay of our battle against covid, the extra month will also allow for the further maturation of our anti-viral programme for at-risk Islanders. This too will have a beneficial impact on severe infection and hospital admissions.

“We are seeing the increase of infection rates due to the new more transmissible BA.2 variant coinciding with our measured de-escalation.

“This unforeseen highly transmissible variant – which is now the predominant strain in both Jersey, the UK and many other jurisdictions – is not more virulent but does require a modification to the planned rate of de-escalation to ensure that we remain in control of events. 

Pictured: Jersey's Deputy Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ivan Muscat.

“We must ensure we do not have a spike in severe disease which could cause not only more admissions but also a significant attrition of our workforce - both within health care settings and outside.  

“It is vital that people continue to understand that we still need to retain sensible precautions whilst enjoying our freedoms, particularly when visiting higher risk settings like the hospital, schools and care homes. 

“I would like to remind all islanders to take sensible precautions before visiting healthcare settings. This includes taking a lateral flow test before leaving home and wearing a mask in these higher risk environments.”

Jersey's isolation benefit payments will continue for islanders who are not able to work due to the requirement to isolate at home.

Deputy Renouf said: “I would like to thank all islanders for doing the right thing, which has allowed us to get to this stage where isolation remains our only legal requirement.

"Covid still poses a threat to our way of lives, so it is vital that islanders continue to follow public health guidance, especially keeping up to date with their vaccination schedule, as it is truly the best protection from the virus."

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