09 March 2020
A major public health awareness campaign is underway by the Government of Jersey to inform Islanders about Coronavirus and the ways in which people can protect themselves.
The aim of the campaign is to provide up-to-date advice about the areas affected by Coronavirus, as well as information about symptoms, how to protect yourself and how and when to self-isolate. A helpline (01534 445566), has also been set up to provide Islanders, who are concerned that they may have Coronavirus, with expert medical advice.
In reaction to the global outbreak of the virus, a full-page advert was printed on page 3 of the Jersey Evening Post on Saturday and another one was published today [MONDAY 9 MARCH]. The adverts are the latest in the campaign by the Government of Jersey to inform Islanders across all age groups and communities about Coronavirus.
Digital screens at LibertyBus station, the Co-op, the Library and Customer and Local Services as well as adverts on Bailiwick Express are also being used to get messages out about good hand hygiene and the importance of self-isolation. Meanwhile, leaflets in Portuguese and Polish are due to be distributed and posters have also been put up at the Hospital, schools, parish halls and government sites.
A dedicated webpage (www.gov.je/coronavirus) has been created, which is updated frequently to reflect current advice from the World Health Organization. Since 29 January, when the webpage was launched it has received 42,896 page views.
Information is also being put out every day across all the Government of Jersey’s social media channels, including tweets at 2.30pm from the @GovJersey Twitter account stating the number of people who have been tested for Coronavirus along with those confirmed to be negative or positive with the illness.
The Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, said: "Ensuring that Islanders are fully aware of the public health messages, which will help prevent the spread of Coronavirus, is vital. There have been no cases of Coronavirus in Jersey or the Channel Islands so far, and so currently, the best advice for Islanders is to wash their hands, cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough and put used tissues in the bin straight away."
Health and Social Services Minister, Deputy Richard Renouf, added: "We want to make sure that Islanders are well-informed so I would like to thank all media owners who have given their support to ensure we can get these important messages out."
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