New guidelines have been issued which should mean fewer people are heading out to work over the coming week, as a number of businesses will be forced to close during Guernsey's lockdown despite being open for the last few days.
Among those not classed as essential services, and therefore not allowed to be open, are boat, vehicle and bike repair agents, except for emergency vehicle repairs for essential workers, all restaurants, cafes, takeaways and kiosks and retail sellers of IT and office products.
The restrictions were originally announced on Tuesday 24 March, coming into force just hours later as the Bailiwick went into lockdown at 00:01 on Wednesday 25 March.
Since community seeding of corona virus was first confirmed on Tuesday, there has been further evidence it is happening - with 45 people confirmed as having covid-19 by Sunday afternoon, and at least three of them having contracted it in Guernsey from someone else who had caught it overseas. More evidence of community seeding is expected to be confirmed once more information is released about the latest positive results.
The lockdown measures had been intended to contain the virus further with the Director of Public Health using data analysis and her background in virology to advise the Civil Contingencies Authority which is making the decisions on how the Bailiwick manages its corona virus outbreak.
Working together they have issued new guidance for businesses, which includes 'several significant amendments' including the removal of the following businesses from the list of those permitted to open:
Of the remaining businesses in the Bailiwick which are still allowed to have workers on their premises they must follow strict guidance which includes a two person limit on the number of workers on site, while ensuring those staff take measures to observe social distancing and adhere to strict hygiene guidelines.
The guidance for individuals remains unchanged. No one should leave their home except to buy necessary food, medicines and supplies, for medical appointments, to exercise, or to travel to work where that work is designated as essential.
Pictured: Only essential journeys, like food shopping, are allowed under the current rules.
Deputy Gavin St Pier, Chair of the Civil Contingencies Authority said:
"Our message remains the same: stay at home. We must lock down at this critical time to slow the spread of the coronavirus and protect our health infrastructure from being overwhelmed. Clearly since making our announcement there have been many questions and many people asking for clarity on what this means for their specific circumstances. As I said in my open letter last night the government has worked incredibly hard to give that clarity, quickly. But it’s not been straightforward and we know it’s far from perfect – it isn’t going to be perfect, we don’t need it to be perfect, but we do need it to work.
"We know our original guidance issued on Friday evening was not clear enough, and not strict enough in limiting those workplaces which should be allowed to open. We have quickly reviewed the position, which has led to the new guidance we are releasing now. It is better, but we’re acutely aware it cannot cover every eventuality and will include decisions not all will agree with.
"We’re asking Islanders to stay with us, to work with us, and to remember the point of all this. We must slow the spread of the coronavirus by reducing unnecessary physical contact. We need you to make sure that’s what happens, and not seek tobend the rules or push the boundaries. Tougher restrictions are an option that is absolutely on the table and we will use them if we have any doubt that people are following these measures."
Pictured: Deputies Heidi Soulsby and Gavin St Pier.
Deputy Heidi Soulsby, President of the Committee for Health & Social Care said:
"We are ready to make decisions that aren’t popular in the interests of our community. But in fact, as we’ve already introduced restrictions to protect public health and our health infrastructure we’ve been hugely encouraged by the support we’ve seen by most in the community. We don’t want our message to be muddied, or misunderstood, people must stay at home and stay away from others who are not members of their household as much as possible. The exceptions must be for exceptional reasons. We are doing things in hours and days that would ordinarily take government months to consult on and produce and with no template to work on. However, thanks to a lot of hard work over the weekend, we believe that the new guidance provides the clarity that is needed.
"Thanks to the overwhelming support of Islanders we have already bought enough time for significant preparations to be made to the Princess Elizabeth Hospital in anticipation of more cases, and those needing greater care. But we must continue to do everything we can do to slow the spread and keep the pressure off our acute services and our frontline health care workers."
Pictured: Dr Nicola Brink.
Dr Nicola Brink, Director of Public Health said:
"This is a critical time in our response to the coronavirus. Everyone has a duty to ensure they do as much as possible to minimise their interactions with other people outside their household. These restrictions are a big part of ensuring that happens. But even where the restrictions don’t explicitly prohibit you from doing something that means you’ll be physically close to other people, you should not do it unless absolutely essential.
"For example, while food retailers are open so you can get essential supplies, you should limit your shopping trips to as few as you can, don’t pop to the shop every day for a few extra bits. Our response to this virus, as an Island, depends on each of us taking extreme care and making sensible, health- focused choices."
The new guidance on critical businesses and workers can be found here: gov.gg/covid19businessguidance.
Pictured top: Dr Nicola Brink and Deputy Gavin St Pier.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.