Plan for returning to 'new normal' revealed

Today the Civil Contingencies Authority has released its provisional time-frame for moving out of lockdown and removing border and travel restrictions.

Estimated dates have been outlined for when restrictions will be removed and when all restrictions will be lifted.

It is proposed that Guernsey will move to Stage 3 of the exit from lockdown on Monday 22 March, but this decision will be finalised at a CCA meeting on Tuesday [16 March].

In Stage 3, inter-island travel can re-commence but non-pharmaceutical interventions such as face coverings and hand/respiratory hygiene will remain to be advised.

Also on 22 March, non-essential travel will be allowed. All people entering the Bailiwick will have to self-isolate for 14 days with tests on arrival and on day 13.

Hotels may open for guests, subject to the border controls in place.

The 14 days self-isolation will stay in place until 30 April when categories of regional/country prevalence restrictions will be re-introduced. Different categories will have an impact on the length of the self-isolation and testing requirements.

This is due to line up with the completion of the first dose of the vaccine for priority groups one to nine.

Schools should be able to return to 'business as usual', with some guidance in place, from Monday 22 March if the situation remains favourable and risk of infection is low.

In Stage 3, anyone planning a gathering of over 100 people will need to provide confirmation to the States that a specific risk assessment is in place and a record of people attending is kept.

However, it is proposed that this requirement will be removed by the end of April.

Between May and July it is planned that sequencing capacity will be developed in Guernsey to detect variants of the virus.

From 1 July - or later - it is expected that borders can safely re-open with a single test at the border, or pre-travel, depending on public health concerns.

Vaccination passports are being considered.

Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink said the Bailiwick Blueprint is based on a reasonable 'best case scenario' and might not be achieved if there are any emerging public health concerns, such as vaccine resistant variants in neighbouring jurisdictions.

'What it does do, however, is answer a number of questions we have received from people asking when and how we move out of the pandemic situation,' she said.

'The Blueprint also recognises that as we move forward we will need to get used to a new normal.'

Hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and staying at home if you are unwell must remain a part of our everyday lives to protect the community from Covid-19 and other viruses.

Chair of the CCA Deputy Peter Ferbrache said that as much as the Authority would like to give absolute certainty at this point, it is impossible to do so as the Bailiwick's progression depends on matters that are outside of our control.

'As such, the Blueprint details various caveats that are necessary to consider before any next phase commences,' he said.

'That being said, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and we can see a point in time where Covid-19 no longer means we need to impose such significant restrictions as a result of the virus.'

One case of Covid-19 remains active in the Bailiwick, with no new cases found in almost two weeks.

Only three people are in compulsory self-isolation.

More to follow