Updated guidance for what is allowed in Stage 2

Updated guidance has been published ahead of Alderney moving to Stage 2 tomorrow [2 March] and the Civil Contingencies Authority's decision on whether Guernsey should move to Stage 2 on Monday [8 March].

A decision about Guernsey's move will be made tomorrow.

Extended household bubbles are being re-introduced.

In Stage 1, two households could join to form a bubble. In Stage 2, this will be extended to four households that can join together to form a single, exclusive bubble.

Outside of household bubbles, social gatherings are permitted with a limit of 20 people indoors or 30 people outdoors.

However, as is the case in Stage 1, any such gatherings cannot happen in a person’s home – gatherings in homes and gardens should only involve those within that 4-household bubble.

Generally, the limits of 20 indoors and 30 outdoors are also applied to businesses, though it is still strongly advised that people should work from home wherever possible.

In gatherings outside of a household bubble, social distancing must be observed.

Non-essential retail and some hospitality businesses such as cafes and restaurants will be able to reopen in Stage 2 but with strict measures in place, including for example limits on the number of people sat at a table, and a requirement that alcohol only be served with food.

Face coverings continue to be a requirement in Stage 2 for indoor public places and public transport and strongly recommended in other places where there are likely to be other people from outside your household bubble.

The full guidance can be found on the gov.gg website.

Chair of the Civil Contingencies Authority Deputy Peter Ferbrache said the move to Stage 2 will be a big step towards normality, compared to the significant restrictions we’ve needed to have in place since the end of January.

'But we should not think of it as being back to normal yet. This will be a big test, to see if it sparks a rise in cases of Covid-19 and to see how effectively we can find them and control them.

'That’s why we need everyone to work with us in this next Stage.'

The aim of these updated rules is to prevent those high-risk scenarios where the virus spreads easily.

'We’ve had to work on it quickly so I’m sure it isn’t perfect, and perfection isn’t our aim,' he said.

'We’ll keep listening to feedback and if we can and should make further changes to our rules, we will. But we’re also asking our community again to help us make this next Stage work. We can’t do this without them.'