Extra police deployed to keep borders secure during strikes

Extra police deployed to keep borders secure during strikes

There will, however, be disruption to medical services, with appointments in physiotherapy and pain clinics cancelled. Other departments will provide emergency cover only.

A press release issued Friday evening said that staff in a number of States departments had been working on a plan to minimise disruption during industrial action by staff in schools, Customs officers and other public-sector employees on Monday and Tuesday.

The aim, it said, was to ensure that ‘essential services can still be carried out safely and efficiently’.

The statement said: ‘Head teachers have written to parents and carers to explain how their child’s school will be affected.

‘The department for Children, Young People, Education and Skills has provided detailed information about how schools and nurseries will be affected on the States web pages.’

It added: ‘Most Customs and Immigration staff will not be working on Monday. However, there will still be some Customs cover at Jersey’s borders, both air and sea.

‘This will include an enhanced police presence and other contingencies. For operational reasons we won’t be providing any more details about those contingencies.

‘Condor Ferries have amended their timetable and combined two ferry trips so passengers from France can clear immigration control in Guernsey before travelling on to Jersey. Freight arrivals are largely automated so deliveries will not be affected.

‘Jersey Airport will operate as normal. The Ports of Jersey has confirmed that all domestic travel between Jersey and the UK, at the airport and the harbour, will be unaffected by the industrial action.’

The second day of strike action is expected to cause disruption to medical services.

The statement said: ‘Health and Community Services is asking people not to drop off specimens at the hospital on Tuesday as the pathology labs will be closed all day. The blood test clinic is also closed so patients will not be able to attend for blood tests.

‘All physiotherapy clinics at the General Hospital and at Overdale are cancelled, including some in the Pain Service. However the Pelvic Floor Information Group will still go ahead.

‘Clinical investigations have cancelled all clinics but will provide cover for any urgent problems with essential medical devices. Radiology is providing urgent cover but any non-urgent orthopaedic outpatient work that requires an X-ray has been rescheduled.

‘Arrangements are in place to deal with emergencies.’

It added: ‘Customer and Local Services expect to offer most services at La Motte Street, but are advising Islanders to postpone any non-urgent visits until Wednesday, to avoid delays in being seen.

‘If any other services are affected by next week’s action, updates will be issued on gov.je and social media.

‘The States of Jersey regrets the impact that the strike will have on some of its services, but acknowledges the right of employees to take industrial action.’

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