Lockdown exit ‘should come quicker than it did last year’
EXITING this lockdown is expected to be faster than last year’s, if it can be done safely, the chairman of the Civil Contingencies Authority said yesterday.
Deputy Peter Ferbrache outlined the basics of a new three-staged strategy to the Bailiwick’s exit from lockdown, which will not start until 18 February at the earliest.
As of today, lone workers in non-essential businesses can operate but only if they do not come into physical contact with another individual.
This applies to both indoor and outdoor workers where only one staff member can carry out the work.
When the island enters stage one of the exit it will allow small gatherings of no more than five people outside but they must maintain social distancing.
In non-public-facing workplaces where the work cannot be done remotely, up to 10 members of staff can work on outdoor sites and five staff in indoor sites.
Deliveries and takeaways will be able to operate.
As long as there are no new clusters of infections or cases that cannot be controlled by ‘testing, tracking and isolating’, there is adequate care capacity, continued local testing, the vaccine is still being rolled out and the public are adhering to the guidelines, a move to stage two is possible.
This would allow for gatherings of up to 30 people inside or outside, public facing businesses [except nightclubs] being able to operate, table service in licensed premises to resume, but no public singing or playing of woodwind and brass instruments.
Non-essential retailers could also open.
Stage three would follow at least 14 days after entering stage two and is dependent on the level of cases.
The outbreak would have to be ‘officially eliminated’ in the Bailiwick for a ‘normal level of activity’ to resume.
At this point, there would be no requirement for social distancing or face coverings and nightclubs could reopen.
. Currently people should still stay at home unless it is for essential journeys, health care or their two hours of exercise.
The other islands in the Bailiwick may move through the lockdown exit stages at a different pace to Guernsey, if that is approved by the Civil Contingencies Authority.
