Jersey's Chief Minister: 'A bright spring is within sight'

Senator John Le Fondré said islanders must remain mindful of the measures in place. Credit: Government of Jersey

Jersey's Chief Minister says 'a bright Spring is within sight' - but only if islanders continue to follow government guidance and allow the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine to run effectively.

Speaking at a press conference this evening (Monday 1 February), Senator John Le Fondré said that while the number of cases in the island had fallen in recent weeks, people must remain mindful of the measures in place - including social distancing and a ban on household mixing.

The island's Health Minister Deputy Richard Renouf also confirmed that a total of 10 cases had been linked to a coronavirus cluster, which had delayed the reopening of non-essential retailers in the island.

Staff in the logistics and retail workforces were tested; from the original three positive cases identified, a further five people within the logistics chain also tested positive and two further cases were directed through direct contacts.

At the press conference, ministers also announced that non-essential retail would be able to reopen on Wednesday 3 February.

They were also hopeful that, given current infection rates, close-contact services such as hairdressers and beauty salons would be able to reopen on Wednesday 10 February.