Sense of relief as island life gets back to normal

NORMALITY resumed within the Bailiwick at midnight at the start of phase five of the easing of lockdown, after 50 days of no new cases of Covid-19.

The regular briefings have drawn a huge online audience to listen to, left to right, Health & Social Care president Deputy Heidi Soulsby, Civil Cointingencies Authority chairman Deputy Gavin St Pier and Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink. (Picture by Sophie Rabey, 28383567)

Travel restrictions will continue, but air bridges are being considered.

Yesterday officials reflected upon the extraordinary situation the Bailiwick was now in.

Phase five means that there is now no limit on the size of social gatherings, which will allow large weddings and parties to go ahead.

It will also allow indoor play areas and nightclubs to reopen.

Islanders are still being advised to respect each other’s personal space, but there is now no limit on the number of people entering shops, so the queues outside supermarkets will end.

Civil Contingencies Authority chairman Gavin St Pier said when the island went into lockdown in March, it was for just 14 days.

‘We had absolutely no idea then how long it was to last,’ he said.

‘It’s become obvious that to get to this point after three months is quite remarkable.’

Open and transparent communication was heralded as very important to comfort the community.

One phrase from Deputy St Pier particularly resonated when announcing lockdown: We’ve got this.

‘What I meant, of course, was that we’ve got this under control,’ he said.

‘We’ve got a plan, we’re going to execute that plan and we will flatten the curve. I believed it. What I didn’t know was we’d be as successful as we have been.’

Health & Social Care president Heidi Soulsby said Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink was the only one fully prepared for this.

‘I am really, truly grateful that we had Dr Brink to support us throughout this. We have been very lucky indeed.’

Difficulty arose trying to summarise the meaning of the past few months.

‘I’m relieved and so delighted for everyone in the Bailiwick,’ she said.

‘Even if travel is still difficult, it will be a fantastic day indeed. Thank you for the sacrifices that have got us where we are today. I’m sorry for the sacrifices that you’ve had to make to get us here.’

Almost all travellers arriving in the Bailiwick still need to self-isolate for 14 days, although this is being reviewed.

Dr Brink reflected on the position with gratitude and relief.

‘I have been incredibly privileged to work with the most brilliant Public Health team. Without asking they went into a seven day working week, left their families and sacrificed time with their children in the height of March and April from 6am until 10-11pm.’

Teamwork had made phase five possible.

‘This has been a seamless process, there have been no barriers. Everyone worked as a single unit– that is what has been the success.

‘There’s also a relief that we’re not facing what was going to be our reasonable worst case scenario.’

New cases are expected, but officials emphasised the public should not fear.

It was confirmed that financial support for the worst hit businesses will continue until September.

Unemployment has reached 1,631, five times what it was this time last year.