06 May 2021
The Yacht Hotel Limited (trading as The Royal Yacht Hotel) was fined £350,000 and ordered to pay £5,000 costs by the Royal Court on 30 April 2021 after pleading guilty to a breach of Article 2 of the COVID-19 (Workplace Restrictions) (Jersey) Order 2020. Article 2 of the Order prohibits the opening of Jacuzzis, plunge pools, steam rooms, saunas, and the like to the public to limit the potential spread of COVID-19.
The prohibition on opening this type of workplace has existed since the initial Island-wide lockdown and is still current.
The prosecution followed an enquiry to the Health and Safety Inspectorate on 7th September 2020, from a member of the public, asking why the spa facilities at the Royal Yacht Hotel were open when all others were closed. Investigation by the Health and Safety Inspectorate revealed that, not only were the sauna, steam rooms and jacuzzi open to the public, but they had been open since June, when the lock-down measures had been eased. Evidence was obtained which demonstrated that, during this 3-month period, hotel guests and spa members had been allowed to use the facilities in groups of up to 12 people at a time.
Matthew Maletroit, Crown Advocate, called the breach a negligent flouting of the law which was imposed for the protection of the entire Island community and placed at risk services upon which the Island depends such as the General Hospital, care homes and schools.
Further Information
Coronavirus advice and guidance for businesses: Advice for businesses
Coronavirus advice for Islanders: Advice for Islanders
gov.je