Netflix and chill... but keep your distance!

Saturday 21 March 2020

Deputy Gavin St Pier is warning anyone trying to 'get around' the latest restrictions on pubs to "forget about it", and "watch Netflix and get a takeaway" instead.

Speaking at a media briefing, Deputy Gavin St Pier asked that everyone take a "responsible attitude" to the measures, to prevent further restrictions in the future, as the corona virus crisis continues.

"A lot of young people will be living at home with parents and, yes, frankly we do expect the parents to be getting a grip, whether those children are over 18 or not," he said. "They need to be having that conversation so the whole family understands the risks, not only to that family, but to the whole community.

Pictured: Deputy Gavin St Pier speaking at a media briefing on corona virus.

"We're not living in a policed state. Ruari [Hardy, the Head of Law Enforcement] does not have the resources for us to prevent any gathering anywhere on the island above a certain size. But, the key message is, if people continue to ignore this, if we do end up with evidence of serious community seeding, then we will end up in the same position as a number of other jurisdictions - whether that's France, Germany or Italy - where people end up effectively confined to their own homes for a period.

"That is what we're desperately trying to avoid for this community. That is an even more serious position. So, if anybody is thinking that they want to get round this by just huddling together in a house and having a good time, forget about it. Think again. Watch Netflix and get a takeaway."

Those premises which are currently allowed to remain open will be policed as usual, with the chance of a few more drop-ins from officers.

"The legislation is clear in that quite a number of licensed premises will be closed, therefore those that are open are going to be fewer and we can do drop-in visits," explained Head of Law Enforcement, Ruari Hardy. "That said, licensees predominantly in this jurisdiction work with us. We have confidence in them, and to become a licensee there are certain responsibilities.

"So, the licensing trade, in the main, polices itself because that's how the licensing system works and we don't see any reason to undermine that."

Those remaining open include all restaurants as well as pubs and bars that serve food. They are operating under strict guidelines and for reduced hours. 

"The industry needs to understand the message we're giving very clearly, that we will take further measures," Deputy St Pier added. "If we have concerns about it not working effectively, we will have no choice. It will not be a decision that we will welcome, but we will have to do it in the interest of the community.

Pictured: Head of Law Enforcement, Ruari Hardy.

"It is constantly re-emphasising to those people who have not yet heard and understood this message - this is very serious. We are taking it very seriously and everyone needs to take it seriously.

"The licensed trade also includes restaurants and they need to be thinking about how they create new opportunities for social distancing in their environment. They're going to have reduced custom - we know that - but they need to be demonstrating to the community but also to us that they are taking their responsibilities seriously, otherwise their business will be further damaged, unfortunately, until we get through this crisis."