Guernsey States reveal lockdown exit plan
Guernsey States has released its 'Exit from Lockdown' plan.
The government says the strategy is to "test, trace and quarantine" while easing restrictions.
Guernsey's Chief Minister says the framework for moving out oflockdown will be led by public health data and analysis.
The Director of Public Health says although the number of cases is falling, "we cannot be complacent".
Guernsey is currently in phase two of the exit strategy, meaning full lockdown is in place. Some gardening, building and other trades are able to work under strict controls.
Limited recreational activity with social distancing measures is allowed.
How to progress to phase three
Stable or reducing cases of Covid-19 acquired through unexplained community transmission in a rolling consecutive four week period from the start of phase two
No new clusters of infections that pose a risk of onward transmission in the Bailiwick for a consecutive four week period from the start of phase two
Hospital admissions for Covid-19 stable or decreasing for a rolling consecutive four week period from the start of phase two
The continued availability of local testing for the virus that causes Covid-19
Phase three
Phase three will be a progression towards a more normal level of activity within the Bailiwick. More businesses will be able to function on a limited basis, recreational time is likely to be expanded and there will be the possibility of expanding the "household bubble".
What can we expect to see?
Takeaways may be able to reopen - with hotels, restaurants and bars staying closed
Libraries and museums may be able to reopen - recreation time to be expanded with more choice of recreational activities
Restrictions on work practices, gatherings and social distancing will remain in place
Places of worship to reopen for people to pray by themselves - congregation services not allowed
Consideration to extend social connectivity meaning a possible expansion of the household bubble
No non-essential travel and anyone returning to the Bailiwick to self-isolate for 14 days remains in place
How to progress to phase four
No new cases of Covid-19 from unexplained community transmission in the previous consecutive eight weeks
No new clusters of infections that pose an ongoing threat to the Bailiwick
Hospital admissions for Covid-19 are stable or declining
The continued availability of local testing for the virus that causes Covid-19
Phase four
Phase four represents a further progression towards a more "normal level ofactivity" within Guernsey.
What can we expect to see?
Retail, hospitality, hairdressers, beauticians and gyms to reopen with some restrictions in place
Recreational time and range of activities increased
Further expansion to the household bubble, possibly with gatherings allowed - providing social distancing and hygiene measures are sustained
Businesses that have not yet been able to reopen (excluding bars and nightclubs) can operate under increased hygiene requirements
No non-essential travel and anyone returning to the Bailiwick to self-isolate for 14 days
How to progress to phase five
No cases of Covid-19 from unexplained community transmission in the previous eight consecutive weeks with no weeks carried over from phase three
No new clusters of infections that pose a risk of inward transmission
Hospital admissions for Covid-19 in the last month stable or declining
The continued availability of local testing for the virus that causes Covid-19
Phase five
It is expected that islanders will return to "a normal level of activity" in phase five - however islanders will live in a "Bailiwick bubble" as travel restrictions outside of the Bailiwick will remain in place.
Anyone returning to the Bailiwick will still be expected to self-isolate for 14 days.
What can we expect to see?
Bars and nightclubs are likely to be able to reopen
Contact team sport to resume
Children's playgrounds may reopen
A lightening of restrictions on public gatherings
How to progress to phase six
No cases of Covid-19 from unexplained community transmission in the previous four weeks
No new clusters of infections
No new hospital admissions for Covid-19 in the last month
Vaccine available and good evidence that neighbouring jurisdictions have adequate control of the virus
The continued availability of local testing for the virus
Phase six
Phase six is the final stage of the "exit plan" and is likely to only occur when there is a vaccine available or the public health risk assessment indicates that Covid-19 no longer poses a significant threat to the health andwell-being of islanders.
If in a four week period the number of cases passed through the community exceeds ten, or clusters emerge, it would mean moving back to the previous phase - with increased lock down restrictions brought back in.
The President of the Health & Social Care Committee said: "Since this pandemic began we have shared as much of the information that wehave used to make our decisions as possible with Islanders, so they could understand why we were making them."
Further information on the exit from lockdown for educational and early years settings (nurseries, child minders) is expected in due course.
The "Exit from Lockdown" Framework is considered a "live" document and will be updated by the States of Guernsey as the situation changes or as their understanding of the coronavirus improves.
The States say this framework is not the same as the "Recovery Plan" although there are elements which overlap.
WATCH the briefing here...