09 June 2021
Following a meeting of the Competent Authority Ministers, Ministers have agreed to a short delay in moving fully to Stage 7 of the Island’s Reconnection Roadmap. However, some restrictions will still be lifted on Monday 14 June.
From Monday 14 June:
- the legal requirement for masks will be removed, except on public transport, in the bus station and at the ports. Masks continue to be strongly recommended in healthcare settings and where physical distancing of more than 1 metre is difficult to achieve, for example in close contact services or while queuing.
- any number of guests may attend a wedding or civil partnership in a private home or garden.
From Monday 21 June (currently planned):
- standing drinking will be permitted at all locations, including pubs and bars.
- nightclubs will be permitted to fully reopen, including for dancing.
- the limit of 20 people permitted at gatherings in private homes and gardens will be lifted.
The decision to agree a short delay was taken because of the emergence of 10 to 11 active COVID-19 cases who have attended a number of private parties and visited hospitality venues.
Delaying stand-up drinking and the opening of nightclubs until Monday 21 June will allow more time for contact tracing and testing to take place in relation to these cases; it will reduce the onward transmission in hospitality settings; and it will hopefully avert the need to introduce more restrictive measures in the coming two months. It also allows the completion of workforce testing throughout the hospitality industry.
The Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, commented: “We are acutely aware that this will be a disappointment to Islanders and businesses who had planned for full reconnection this coming Monday.
"We recognise this will be particularly difficult for nightclubs who have long anticipated reopening after 15 months of closure. However, given ongoing contact tracing within hospitality settings, it is appropriate that we do not open nightclubs at this stage.”
The Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf, said: “It is absolutely critical that all travellers to Jersey remain vigilant and follow the latest public health guidance, including on isolation.
“As we open vaccination appointments to younger Islanders, it’s vital that people book for their vaccine when they become eligible. Our vaccination programme continues to make excellent progress, but it is essential we keep this momentum up.
“It is also incumbent on those in the hospitality industry to continue taking accurate contact details from all of their patrons, to ensure that where cases emerge, contacts can be traced quickly and effectively. The requirement for relevant businesses to collect details for contact tracing purposes is still a requirement in law.”
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