Some restrictions could stay for a while
MEASURES such as mask wearing and social distancing could be in place for some time once the island comes out of lockdown, the Civil Contingencies Authority chairman said yesterday.
In just short of a year, islanders have experienced social distancing, lengthy queueing at supermarkets, face masks, self-isolation, swab testing and many more policies besides in the battle to suppress the coronavirus. Post-lockdown, some of these may remain.
Described as a ‘horrible cyclical virus’, CCA chairman Peter Ferbrache said although lockdown was working against Covid now, it showed that the island needed to stay on its toes to keep the virus at bay.
‘Lockdown is working, but it will only work if people continue to be vigilant,’ he said.
‘This beast will not go away, it’s looking to cause harm to our community, so we all, every one of us in the Bailiwick, have to be vigilant.’
This he said would be achieved by maintaining social distancing, staying at home whenever possible, only going out for exercise and activity, wearing masks when out, and respecting hygiene.
If successful, and figures reduce, this lockdown could be shorter than the previous two-month-plus one last year.
‘This will also happen post-lockdown,’ added Deputy Ferbrache. ‘This virus is going to be around for a very long time.’
This may mean social distancing and mask wearing measures in shops for an extended amount of time.
‘We’re looking at all those things,’ said Deputy Ferbrache.
‘We haven’t made decisions yet, but those are things that would seem to me, speaking for myself, as entirely sensible as we come out of lockdown and once we’re out of lockdown.’
