Jersey chief minister: ‘we are on the cusp of lockdown’
JERSEY has made the wearing of face masks compulsory in public indoor spaces after the number of cases of the virus in the island rose to 247 on Monday.
That represented an increase of more than 100 in less than seven days.
Further measures are likely to be brought in soon, with the island teetering on the brink of another lockdown, and ministers have said that tougher restrictions on the licensing trade are among the options being considered.
The announcements came during a government briefing on Monday evening, with Chief Minister John Le Fondre saying islanders should work at home where possible from next Monday.
He also issued a final warning to people who have flouted guidelines by continuing to socialise freely.
The licensed trade would be targeted, he said: ‘I would agree that alcohol is a factor – today’s measures are not the end of it, and we are looking at further measures and may make a further announcement.’
It was likely that a further reduction in hours would be considered for pubs, bars and restaurants, which as of last week had to stop serving at 10pm.
‘We are on the cusp of lockdown – be under no illusion,’ said Senator Le Fondre.
He was ‘absolutely furious’ at those who had knowingly, deliberately and recklessly flouted the guidelines, and urged them to think about the impact of their actions.
This was their last chance, he said. The next few days will see legal measures brought in to enforce the maximum size of gatherings, and a return to two-metre social distancing seems imminent.
Guidelines concerning household bubbles during the Christmas period are to be issued and there will be firmer guidance on shielding for high-risk people and the over-70s.
n The total number of positive Covid-19 cases in Jersey since March has now exceeded 1,000.
