Many shoppers stay cautious and decide to wear a mask
AS GUERNSEY’S face covering mandate was lifted yesterday, some shoppers were still erring on the side of caution.
‘Omicron hasn’t finished yet. Politicians are giving the line that there is no need for masks, but scientists are not,’ said former Sark conseiller Andrew Bache, who was shopping in Creasey’s.
Following a steep decline in the number of Covid-19 cases, the Civil Contingencies Authority announced on Tuesday that masks were no longer necessary in school settings and shops from yesterday.
And in Town, almost all shop assistants had stopped wearing face coverings, with staff at just four shops seen to be doing so.
Beryl Vaudin and her husband Roger had kept their masks on after leaving the dentist, where they assumed one was still required.
‘I feel safer with it on, I think it’s all a bit silly that it’s been stopped. We will keep them on for another couple of days,’ said Mrs Vaudin.
In the CCA briefing, it was announced that a new sub variant of Omicron, known as BA.2, had been identified in Guernsey, but it was not thought to be more harmful. It has been classed as a variant under investigation.
Public Health director Dr Nicola Brink said that all decisions were made based on the island’s risk profile and that the island will still see further Covid outbreaks.
Students Alyssa Toms, 17, and Jess Rowe, 18, said that they did not want to risk spreading it to their families and that continuing to mask up made them feel safer.
‘I want to feel more protected, it’s still out there,’ said Miss Toms.
Face coverings are recommended when in crowds.
Bartender Darcey Fabbri had taken a more relaxed approach after catching Covid-19 recently.
‘I’m still wearing them in shops, but not when I’m walking around. In the shops you’re in closer proximity to people. Also, I’ve had Covid now, so I think if I get it again, then I get it again,’ she said.
Masks still needed at HSC sites, not on buses
ISLANDERS visiting Health & Social Care sites are being reminded that they must continue to wear masks.
The masks mandate was relaxed this week for many locations, but that does not include HSC sites.
‘Staff will also continue to wear them,’ an HSC spokesman said.
‘This is in line with current NHS England guidance. It will be kept under regular review and thank you to the community for their continued support.’
However one place where masks are no longer mandatory is on the buses.
CT Plus confirmed yesterday that face coverings were no longer mandatory on public transport.
‘It will be at the discretion of the passenger should they choose to wear face coverings, but this is not a legal obligation,’ the company posted.
The comments come as case numbers rose slightly yesterday.
There were 73 new cases and 47 recoveries, meaning there are 490 current active cases. There are still three people in hospital.
