Jersey government's Emergencies Council to discuss Coronavirus threat

Senior figures from Jersey's government will meet to discuss how to manage the threat of Coronavirus - but not until Thursday 12 March.

The Emergencies Council will review how the island can deal with a potential outbreak and assess how schools and businesses could be affected.

It comes as the number of confirmed cases in the UK reached 116 - and one patient with underlying health conditions became the first person to die from the virus on British soil.

Briefings have been given to politicians and industry representatives over the past week, and the government says it will continue working alongside them to ensure the island is well prepared.

This also includes an online 'business continuity toolkit' to provide advice and support in the event of the virus reaching Jersey's shores.

The meeting will be chaired by Jersey's Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondre.

51 tests have been carried out on the island with no Coronavirus cases confirmed.

Jersey Chamber of Commerce will be holding weekly meetings with government advisors from next week, co-chaired by Economic Development Minister Senator Lyndon Farnham and the organisation's chair Murray Norton.