Island needs confidence for opening borders

A triumphant reopening of borders after 15 months of virtual isolation? Or a nervous twitching of the welcome curtain, uncertain as to what the future – and our hoped-for visitors – might bring?

Deputy Peter Ferbrache, as chairman of the Civil Contingencies Authority, is treading a tightrope. Previously coming across as an enthusiast for opening up, he has appeared to change tack somewhat once moving to the CCA hot seat.

Now with 'freedom' imminent, his approach is positive, with a hint of caution – probably accurately reflecting the general mood of the island.

‘We’ve got to get the borders open again,’ he says.

But that power to do so, comes with responsibility.

Recognising that some in the community feel that the island might be moving too quickly, particularly with variants on the rise and concerns about the efficacy of the vaccine in those instances.

Recognising concerns that mixing with the Common Travel Area – including Britain’s own poor Covid deaths record and England’s move out of lockdown shortly before 1 July – might not be as positive as it might seem for trouble-free travel.

Deputy Ferbrache accepts that it will be some time before the world returns to normality, and Guernsey returns to the best part of one million passenger movements a year.

But he comes across upbeat, one would suspect attempting to reflect the perceived public mood.

‘If we thought there was any real danger we wouldn’t be taking this step,’ he has said. ‘And we will be fiercely protective of the safety of the people of the Bailiwick.’

Surely least-favoured of all options for Guernsey would be Lockdown III, but the time has come for the island to make positive steps out of Covid.

Deputy Ferbrache accepts he can’t offer any guarantees – but has stated that the CCA can offer the public confidence.

Barring a calamity over the next few weeks, the direction of travel is set. But whether our population will go into this new era with total confidence is far from certain.