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The Bailiwick is preparing to take the biggest step out from under the shadow of covid-19 since the pandemic arrived nearly two years ago with the removal of all emergency laws from one week today - Thursday 17 February.
Deputy Peter Ferbrache, Chairman of the Civil Contingencies Authority, and Dr Nicola Brink, Medical Officer of Health, announced the changes at a briefing yesterday and thanked the Bailiwick for its support since March 2020.
Deputy Ferbrache said: “This is very much a hallelujah day. Today is extremely significant and is a day I’ve been looking forward to. I wasn’t quite sure when it would arrive.”
Deputy Ferbrache has been leading the Civil Contingencies Authority since October 2020, when he took over the role from Deputy Gavin St. Pier during the pandemic.
His delight and optimism were shared by Dr Brink, who has been leading the public health response to covid since the virus arrived.
“It really is a milestone day for us and we’re looking forward to the future with optimism,” said Dr Brink.
Pictured: Deputy Ferbrache said: “I sincerely hope we can look forwards and there will never be a need again for the Civil Contingencies Authority to use its powers.”
The decision to rollback the rules was made after concluding that the island’s health services are now able to cope with covid infections without requiring substantial restrictions on freedom of movement.
During what could be the last live briefing of the covid era, Deputy Ferbrache and Dr Brink thanked a number of people.
"The community has been exceptional and it has been a privilege to work with islanders," said Dr Brink. "But also to my own team, the public health team, who have worked all the hours they can to help get us through to the stage we’re at.”
Deputy Ferbrache said: “This really is a good news day and a testament to the responsible actions of the people of the Bailiwick.”
Dr Brink thanked the States' interim Chief Executive, Mark de Garis, and Deputy Ferbrache thanked Civil Contingencies Authority advisor Deputy Heidi Soulsby, who has been the only political figure at the centre of the Authority's decision making since the beginning of the pandemic.
Pictured: The Bailiwick's successful vaccination programme was cited as one of the main reasons why legal restrictions can now be lifted.
Beyond thanking multiple people and celebrating the end of a significant chapter of the covid story, Dr Brink made clear that the booster programme will continue as part of the ongoing work of public health officials protecting islanders.
“I think we will have another round of boosters, possibly towards the end of this year,” said Dr Brink.
When asked by Express if vaccines would continue to be offered to most people to focus on the vulnerable and elderly only, Dr Brink said she was not sure.
“We simply don’t know at this stage. It depends on what rolls out over the next year. We also don’t know if it’s going to be a single SARS-covid virus or indeed two different types," she said.
“We intend to continue following JCVI advice: we’ve been depending on them since the beginning.”
The news was welcomed by many people who were watching the live briefing on social media.
Juvelina said: “Thank you Dr Brink and the team for all your hard work, dedication and care to protect the people of Guernsey through the pandemic. It’s a great relief to see the light hopefully at the of the tunnel.”
“Thank you Dr Brink and team for all you have done,” said Simon. "You’ve been absolute stars.”
Faye said: “Thank you, Dr Brink, Deputy Soulsby, Deputy Ferbrache and CCA. We are so, so lucky to have had such a wonderful team to lead us though this.”
Pictured: “There is one person I would specifically like to thank - my line manager, Mark de Garis. We simply wouldn’t have got through this without you,” said Dr Brink.
Some members of the public commenting online during the briefing noted that no thanks were offered to Deputy St. Pier or to the States' former Chief Executive Paul Whitfield, who was removed from his post last year.
The lifting of legal restrictions was also welcomed by Condor. With travel restrictions a mainstay throughout, the travel industry has been consistently suffering.
“Today's announcement that border and quarantine restrictions in the Bailiwick are coming to an end is very good news and we are grateful for the work undertaken by the Civil Contingencies Authority over the past two years,” said the ferry company.
“This decision should provide greater confidence, encourage islanders to travel and hopefully see an influx of visitors to boost the tourism economy.
“We recognise from our passenger carryings last August and September that the Channel Islands could benefit this year from the positive sentiment and proximity so are working closely with Visit Guernsey and industry partners to ensure every opportunity is taken to bring back the good times.”
Pictured: A significant chapter of the island’s covid journey has come to an end - or at least will come to an end when all emergency legal restrictions are lifted on Thursday next week.
Deputy Ferbrache concluded the briefing yesterday by quoting Sir Winston Churchill.
“I was a very bookish boy and one of my heroes was Sir Winston Churchill," he said.
“Sir Winston Churchill once said during the Second World War: it’s not the beginning of the end - it’s the end of the beginning. And that’s where we are with covid.”
Pictured: Deputy Peter Ferbrache quoted Winston Churchill on what he said was a memorable day for the Bailiwick after announcing the end of emergency legal restrictions to control covid-19 to take effect next Thursday.
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