Herm makes it clear it is open for business

The small island is home to about 60 people, who are connected with its tourist trade, but each year it welcomes about 100,000 visitors.

With tourist locations concerned about travel restrictions and low visitor confidence, Herm has sought to reassure islanders that it is safe and there have been no cases of coronavirus there.

‘The management of Herm Island would like to reassure all visitors that we have stringent measures in place to help combat the potential spread of Covid-19 and any other infectious outbreaks,’ a spokesman said.

‘We will continue to monitor these on a day-by-day basis and will take on board and implement any further guidelines recommended by governing bodies and health professionals.’

The measures in place include having hand sanitiser on the Travel Trident ferries. All passengers are being requested to use it before disembarking.

Hand sanitisers have also been placed across the island and at access points for pleasure boaters.

The housekeeping team is also sanitising all public doors, door handles and toilets regularly.

‘We have a designated cleaning squad in place who will be sanitising public toilets several times a day from 1 April,’ the spokesman said.

‘All seasonal staff will be screened on arrival.’

Any member of staff or the community who shows signs of the virus will also be isolated.

While the island is still welcoming guests, people who are showing any signs of illness are asked not to visit until they have been tested and cleared and all visitors with their own vessels should sanitise their hands on arrival.

It is also recommended that people have travel insurance to ensure they are covered in the trip has to be cancelled.

Sark is following the advice given by Guernsey’s Public Health director not to travel for non-essential reasons.

The island is still without a doctor, with the recruitment of a new medical officer ongoing.

The government of Sark announced on Thursday that all morning surgeries were suspended with immediate effect in light of the coronavirus threat.