Sark to start its exit from lockdown today

Monday 15 February 2021

The Bailiwick’s three stage plan for exiting lockdown has now been revealed, and Sark will be taking its first step on Monday.

The decision was made following an exchange between Civil Contingencies Authority and officials in Sark, who feel the island is in the position to start moving forward.

Stage 1 will allow some relaxation on who can go back to work, the addition of household bubbles and five people can meet outside as long as they follow social distancing guidelines. Guernsey isn’t expected to reach this stage until Thursday 18 February at the earliest.

Both Sark and Alderney have been adhering to the Bailiwick lockdown. However, due to the complete absence of positive cases in Sark and its small population, it’ll now be taking its first step to normality.

“We’re pleased to be able to say that Sark will begin recovery stage one on Monday 15 February,” confirmed Head of the CCA, Deputy Peter Ferbrache, on Friday. 

“This means they’ll be able to open their economy more. It’ll also mean they’re going to open their school.”

Pictured: “Their school numbers are very small and the individual class sizes are very small,” said Deputy Febrache, when advising why the school could re-open.

It’s important to note that Sark will retain its obligation for all arrivals from Guernsey to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival to the island.

“Sark is taking another step towards normal living,” concluded Deputy Ferbrache.

It is not yet known when Alderney will enter Stage One - at this point it may be in line with Guernsey next Thursday. Public Health Director Dr Nicola Brink reiterated at yesterday's press briefing that there is no magic number of cases that Guernsey needs to reach in order to begin the island's release from lockdown. 

The most decisive factors will be the trends and the nature of cases that do continue to crop up. To that end, reducing community seeding to minimal levels will be crucial.