Measures agreed to mitigate rise in Covid cases

Competent Authority Ministers have agreed a number of measures to protect both Islanders and Jersey’s health service in the face of a continuing rise in active Covid cases.

The vaccination programme will be adjusted to give the second dose after four weeks rather than five. This will enable 1,800 doses to be brought forward, protecting more people more quickly.  The vaccination centre has announced that walk-in sessions at Fort Regent will be piloted from Monday 26 July, 5-6pm - allowing Islanders to drop in for their first vaccine dose without an appointment.

All direct contacts living with a household member who has tested positive for Covid will be offered Lateral Flow tests. Critical Infrastructure workers who are direct contacts are also strongly encouraged to take up this offer.

Anyone identified as a direct contact is asked to consider their responsibility to the wider community by avoiding gatherings and public places where possible.

Anyone isolating will be allowed a two-hour period each day to exercise outdoors, taking care to remain distant from other people. This comes into effect immediately.

The pausing of Stage 7 reconnection will continue throughout August to avoid large numbers of people gathering closely together and the risk to public health that this brings.

Employers are still encouraged to ask their employees to work from home if they can. 

Book PCR tests online 

From today, Islanders with symptoms of Covid-19 can book a PCR test online, at any time of day or night, without having to call the Coronavirus Helpline.  

They will need to enter their personal information, contact details and the symptoms they are experiencing, and select a location, date and time for a PCR test.  They will then be sent an email with their appointment and a QR code to show at the test centre.

Islanders are still encouraged to call the helpline if they need advice.

Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, said: “We are aiming to minimise harm and maximise personal responsibility as we continue adjusting our response to every twist and turn of this pandemic. While active case numbers are higher than they have been, our vaccination coverage is keeping the number of people with serious illness low, and we are on target to offer two doses to all eligible adults by the end of August.

“We want to suppress the spread of the virus to keep our Island running and to ensure our health service can continue to look after those people who need medical care. We still need to flatten the curve and reduce the rise in active cases, while also having consideration for those who are having to isolate during the summer.

“We do not want to legislate unnecessarily and would prefer to trust Islanders to make sensible decisions. We would encourage Islanders’ sense of responsibility for themselves and others and expect continued cooperation with public health guidance.”

The Covid helpline can provide advice for people who think they may have symptoms – freephone 0800 735 5566