Pubs to stop serving at 10pm under new coronavirus restrictions in Jersey

The Government of Jersey hopes the curfew will help stop the spread of Covid-19 in the island. Credit: PA Images

Pubs in Jersey will now have to stop serving at 10pm in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus. It comes as the government has announced more new measures as cases in the island continue to rise.

New rules will come into effect from Friday 20 November.

The new measure include:

  • Enhanced border testing

People travelling to the island will now have to have three tests, one on arrival, one on day five and the final test on day ten.

  • Increased testing at care homes, and of older students

Care home residents will be tested regularly.

  • Requirements for older students to wear nose and mouth coverings in schools

Older schoolchildren will have to start wearing masks from Wednesday (18 November).

  • Earlier closure times for hospitality venues

From Friday 20 November, hospitality businesses will be required to close at 10pm, and customers will have to leave the premises by 10.30pm.

  • Reductions in the number of people who can attend informal gatherings, organised gatherings, and funerals

The number of people who can attend funerals will reduce from 80 people to 40 people.

  • Increased recruitment for testing and contact tracing staff

Testing changes for everyone arriving into Jersey

Jersey and Guernsey travel guidance by country - use our interactive maps

The Health Minister, Deputy Richard Renouf says he wants to make wearing masks in shops mandatory and this is expected to be debated in the States Chamber next week.

He also wants to impose more penalties on businesses that do not follow the new conditions.

Together with the updated restrictions, a number of new financial support measures were announced. Phase 3+ of the payroll co-funding scheme will supplement wages up to a maximum of 60% (of £2000) for the worst hit sectors. 

The level of contribution will be directly linked to the level of detriment suffered by a business. To be eligible for the scheme, a business must have suffered a detriment of at least 20%. 

A targeted support package for the visitor accommodation sector was also announced. This will work in conjunction with the payroll co-funding scheme and cover as much as 80% of fixed costs, calculated on a per-room basis from October this year until April 2021. Applications for the scheme open on 23rd November. 

A further package which targets the events and attractions sector is also being worked on.

The Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, also addressed rumors of a lockdown.

Watch the full press conference below: