Jersey officially goes into lockdown
Jersey has officially gone into lockdown.
The government expects the measures to be in place until at least the end of April.
Islanders are now unable to leave their homes, except for the following limited reasons:
Shopping for essentials such as food or medicine, as infrequently as possible.
Exercise- this includes walking, cycling, running, or caring for animals.
Travelling to and from work, for essential workers only.
The move came into effect as of 8am on Monday 30 March.
Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré declared the situation a 'national emergency' when he made the announcement last night.
During the lockdown, non-essential business have to close and public gatherings of two or more people will be broken up.
Earlier this week the States approved emergency powers, giving the government the power to require islanders to be screened for coronavirus using reasonable force.
Deputy Richard Renouf, the island's Health Minister, says the new measures have been introduced on the advice of Dr Ivan Muscat, Jersey's Medical Officer for Health.
He said the delays in receiving test results meant the government could not fully understand how well the measures it has already introduced are working.