Freedom returns, bit by bit

Given tomorrow’s Liberation Day celebrations it was a good moment to double the amount of leisure time people can spend away from home and give over-65s a freer rein.

Four hours is even long enough for a good game of golf and, for boaters, time to get to a favourite fishing spot. Keen cyclists can do a few laps of the island and walkers can enjoy much of the south coast cliffs before turning back.

It is not life as we knew it, but it is another step in the right direction.

The driver for change, of course, was the heartening news that, for a seventh day, there were no new cases. And the number on the infected list had fallen again, to 15.

Not to tempt fate but the islands clearly have Covid-19 on the run.

Meanwhile, the UK hurtles passed 30,000 deaths and misses its 100,000 testing target for a fifth day in a row.

The mood music between the two jurisdictions could not be more different.

In London, the prime minister has been forced to pour cold water on speculation that the end of lockdown is imminent.

With 539 people dying in UK hospitals yesterday and Mr Johnson promising ‘maximum caution’, tabloid headlines proclaiming ‘Hurrah! Lockdown freedom beckons’ risk confusing the public about where they are.

Guernsey’s safety first approach again seems the right call. Be clear about your plans, warn of the worst and then, when all goes well, speed up the timeline.

With patience and understanding from islanders, the motto of the leadership team – to under-promise and over-deliver – should keep the island both moving forward and united.

One difficulty that lies ahead is clear: what happens when the island is ready to link with other jurisdictions but they are not doing as well?

What level of risk is acceptable before flights from the UK and boats from France can be allowed?

It is a distant worry, given the timescale mapped out this week before Phase 6 arrives, but as the UK looks increasingly out of step with the island’s success story it is going to loom ever larger.