People asked to use common sense

Wednesday 25 March 2020

Islanders have been asked to use "applied judgement and common sense" over what types of employment are essential and which are non-essential - with some guidance now available online.

All non-essential businesses have been told to work from home, if they can, after it was decided to put the island in lockdown for at least two weeks to try and contain the spread of the corona virus.

The first case of community seeding was confirmed at a press conference last night. 

Guidance for people over how this lockdown of non-essential contact has been published online.

Deputy Gavin St Pier said part of the reason for it was to help protect key workers who are providing vital services to the community, including supporting those in self-isolation.

"To come up with something that covers every situation is not possible," he said, explaining why a full list would be unachievable. "It is about understanding the objective, which is maintaining distance and supporting an increasing number of people in self-isolation."

HSC President Heidi Soulsby added: "Hopefully people can work with us and use common sense to know what the right thing to do is."

States of Guernsey Chief Executive Paul Whitfield said that in addition to nurses, port controllers and police officers, there are many other services vital to the community, especially at this time, such as meals on wheels and Samaritans.

"A massive third sector response is required and we cannot afford to stop that," he said. "As stressed, it is also about applied judgement and responsibility."

For the purposes of the strict new measures, critical businesses and workers are defined as:

Private sector -  Businesses and workers ESSENTIAL to the functioning of any activity necessary to:

o Ensure the continuing supply and accessibility of food and other essential goods including

• Supermarkets and grocery stores
• Air and sea freight transport
• Stevedores and other necessary port management activities
• Freight operators

o Ensuring continuing health and community care services including

• GP surgeries/medical practices
• Pharmacies
• Residential and nursing homes
• Private and third sector agencies providing care services in a home or other setting (including the care of animals)
• Volunteers that provide services to those in need (Meals on Wheels, Samaritans, etc)
• Those responsible for management of the deceased

o Those essential to law and order

• Judiciary Services
• Advocates

o Those providing private school services and daytime childcare

• Private primary and secondary schools
• Nurseries and day-care services

o Maintain critical national infrastructure (essential staff)

• Utilities (water, electricity, gas, oil, post)
• Telecoms providers (essential staff required to deliver mobile and fixed line telecommunication services)

o Maintain public transport

• Bus operators and school transport providers

o Public service broadcasters and other mainstream news media

o Bank staff that are critical to providing branch-based services to enable cash transactions

Private sector employers falling within the above categories should determine which roles are essential to maintain critical services, and which are not.

Pictured: Paul Whitfield is the head of the public sector.

Public service - Workers ESSENTIAL to the delivery of critical services:

• Health and Social Care
• Education
• Emergency Services (Law Enforcement, Ambulance, Fire and Coastguard)
• Prison
• Law Officers
• States Works
• Guernsey Waste
• Ports
• Regulatory roles directly related to financial stability and bankingsupervision
• Treasury
• Social Security

Everyone who is not defined as a critical worker, and their children, must stay at home.