Islanders aged 65 and over are being urged to practise social distancing – such as staying at home as much as possible and avoiding public transport at peak times – to reduce their chances of infection.
And even tougher measures could be on the horizon, after UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday said that ‘within the coming weeks’ people there aged over 70 will be told to stay at home.
He told the BBC that when the advice comes into force it will last ‘a very long time’. It is not known whether Jersey plans to follow the same path as the UK. During a press briefing on Saturday, Health Minister Richard Renouf said: ‘We know that this may be a challenging time for people emotionally and mentally too. I’d urge people to be considerate to one another, and be prepared to live a little differently and quietly for a while.
‘If people wish, they can access the Listening Lounge by phone for support and I would urge us all to continue talking with friends and family and neighbours.
‘I am proud of our island. We are a resilient community. We will work together. Please listen to the latest advice, share it, and let us go forward and support each other.’
Chief Minister John Le Fondré, meanwhile, said Jersey was a ‘resilient community’ and added: ‘We all need to work together, to protect the vulnerable and to navigate our way successfully through this challenge. That, I believe, we are well placed to do.’
The rallying call was made as a number of informal community groups were launched online to offer help to those who may need it while practising social distancing.
By 2.30pm yesterday, 182 people in Jersey had been tested for coronavirus, with a total of two testing positive.
A dedicated and referral-only testing facility for coronavirus has now opened at Five Oaks. It is for patients who have contacted the helpline – 445566 – and have been assessed as being at high-risk of carrying the virus. It is not open for the general public and patients cannot self-refer to the testing station.
During the press briefing, Patrick Armstrong, medical director, reiterated that for the majority who do contract coronavirus they would experience mild symptoms but stressed it was important they adhered to government advice to delay or stop the spread to the more vulnerable.
Mr Armstrong also urged whole families to self-isolate for at least seven days if one member experiences flu-like symptoms, including a cough, aches and pains and a sore throat.
The other new advice announced on Friday was to avoid all but essential travel into and out of the Island.
Senator Le Fondré said the government could not force people to stop travelling and he recognised that some people would not adhere to the advice – especially during the Easter holidays.
‘But as matters progress we are seeing travel bans all over the place which may impact what people can actually do,’ he added.
And Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham said financial bailouts are being planned for businesses – in particular the fishing industry after its export market collapsed on Friday due to tough import restrictions across Europe. Meetings with industry leaders are due to be held this week.
Senator Farnham said: ‘The impact on business is beginning to escalate very quickly.’
He recognised that new government travel advice would also impact heavily on tourism, hospitality and retail.
The Chief Minister said Jersey’s ‘rainy day fund’ – the Strategic Reserve – could be used to help the economy and stressed the Island was in a healthy position financially.
And moving to clarify what is expected of over-65s who are being asked to socially distance themselves, Deputy Renouf said it did not involve older Islanders locking themselves away.
Socially distancing, experts say, could have the greatest impact on the health of older people and cut deaths by up to 35%. Figures leaked earlier this month suggested that in a reasonable worst-case scenario up to 50 people in Jersey could die – however, models are changing all the time.
Deputy Renouf said: ‘We are asking people to avoid large public gatherings and, when at work or not at home, they should avoid using public transport during peak hours unless essential. Social distancing and self-isolation is not the same. Whilst practising social distancing people can still go out and get fresh air and walk the dogs in a quiet lane or do the gardening. The key advice is don’t come into close contact with other people.’
The government recommend over-65s to stay at least a metre (3.3ft) away from others.
- Three day centres run by Health and Community Services are to close until further notice following advice received on social distancing amid the coronavirus outbreak. The centres which will shut are the Hollies in Gorey, Sandybrook Day Centre, and The Willows in St Helier.
