Island takes first back to work steps, but far from business as usual
‘IT’S A RELIEF’ said estate agent Ross Le Marquand as he headed back out to work after four weeks of lockdown, ‘it feels like the first day of back to school, but in a good way’.
Cooper Brouard Estate Agents was one of more than 1,000 Guernsey businesses that had registered their intent to reopen from Saturday, as the island became the first place in Britain to lift its lockdown partially.
New life was breathed back into the island, but it was far from business as usual.
Mr Le Marquand was following strict health guidelines, which included keeping a detailed log of all his appointments, limiting himself to 10 viewings per day, maintaining the two metres social distancing requirement, and wearing gloves.
Despite the restrictions he was happy to be back in a suit and tie.
‘This is vital for local businesses and it’s vital for our economy, we’re delighted to be leading the way after a successful local campaign to manage the virus. I think re-starting the housing market could be an important catalyst.’
Estate agents, tradesmen, builders, and mechanics all became part of the vanguard for the island’s economic resurgence after exactly one month of lockdown.
Office premises can now open, but only with a maximum of five workers per office and only when working from home is not possible.
Building supplies and hardware stores are allowed to open, but on Saturday most of them remained shut as they figured out how to abide with the social distancing and hygiene rules.
From today, islanders will be able to drop off green waste at Chouet and Longue Hougue temporarily.
The Household and Waste and Recycling Centre will open on Thursday, but with restrictions.
Window cleaner and pressure washer Martyn Torode was out early on Saturday morning to clean the windows of a car wash.
It was a dirty job, but he was in a cheerful, optimistic mood.
‘We all need to earn money, and there’s no doubt that some people are anxious and some people have put us on hold. Some of the businesses we work for are not able to trade so they’re on hold, but the last couple of days I’ve seen a more positive attitude from people.’
With a big boating community, Guernsey’s marine economy is a lifeblood and worth an estimated £20m. per year.
Matt Le Page, the owner of Fastcraft Marine Services, was keen to get back to some semblance of normality.
‘Obviously we’re led by the health officials who have done an amazing job so far, and certainly for the marine trade feels the timing is right. Customers are going to want their boats soon so it’s vital for us to keep ahead of that curve, it’s a different curve but it’s our curve.’
Guernsey has won plaudits for the way it has handled this crisis.
A combination of one of the highest per capita testing rates in Europe, extensive contact-tracing and quarantining, means that Guernsey has not just flattened the curve, it is on the other side of the curve.
The core message is still stay at home and the authorities remain in a high state of vigilance because of the fear of a new outbreak and a second peak.
At La Vallette bathing pools, pensioner Maisie Sherrod-Wright and her daughter were taking an early morning chilly dip.
‘Our lockdown was like getting in the water here in the morning, you’ve got to get in fast and it’s shocking, but afterwards it’s OK.
‘We’ve got to get on with our lives. It’s time.’
