Jersey moves into level two of lockdown
Jersey has moved to level two of lockdown from today (Friday 12 June), as the island continues to ease the restrictions imposed to stop the spread of coronavirus.
It means more businesses will be able to open as long as they can maintain physical distancing rules. The following places will now be able to open their premises again:
Hair and beauty
Fitness
Healthcare
Indoor cafes and restaurants
Libraries
Cinemas
Theatres
Concert venues
Community centres
Youth centres
Places of worship
Museums and galleries
Arcades
Bowling alleys
Piercing and tattoo parlours
The Deputy Chief Minister made the initial announcement for a move to level two on 1 June.
He reiterated the changes alongside the Chief Minister and Medical Director Patrick Armstrong at the final scheduled press conference yesterday afternoon (11 June).
There are five active cases of Covid-19 still in Jersey. Despite the loosening of restrictions, the Chief Minister says that islanders must still approach things with a strict sense of caution.
Moving into this new phase of lockdown is seen as a step forward for those deemed most susceptible to the virus. Instead of being categorised as 'vulnerable' or 'severely vulnerable', people will be referred to as being 'high risk' or 'moderate risk'.
Islanders within the 'moderate' category will now be able to return to work, if the person and their employer agree it is safe to do so. On top of this, those within the 'high risk' category will be able to go outdoors to do leisure or recreational activities, so long as they can physically distance from those they do not live with.
During yesterday's press conference, the Chief Minister said the aim is to assess how successful level two is, with the aim of moving intolevel one in early July.
Moving into that phase could include reducing social distancing from two metres to one. Senator Le Fondre also confirmed that work is ongoing to restart travel on and off island when medical experts say it is safe.