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Live Reporting

All times stated are UK

  1. Airline pays tribute to founder with heart in the sky

    Johanna Carr

    BBC News Online

    Blue Islands airline has paid tribute to its founder by using an aeroplane to draw a heart in the sky.

    Derek Coates, who also founded the Healthspan Group, died aged 72 this week.

    A flight leaving Jersey made the heart shape over the islands on its way to Norwich.

    Blue Islands’ CEO Rob Veron said: "The big heart in our blue skies today signifies Derek’s love of our islands and our true love of Derek."

    Heart
  2. Friendly football welcomed back in Jersey

    Rebecca Thorn

    BBC News

    Friendly football matches will be allowed to restart in Jersey from Saturday, under level one of the island's safe exit framework.

    The Jersey Football Association (JFA) said it welcomed the decision, which will allow "close fleeting contact" between players outside.

    A physical distance of 1m (3ft 3in) will be kept during "non-playing activity" such as warm ups and cool downs.

    A total of 40 people, including players, coaches, referees, and spectators will be allowed at any game.

    Finally, all clubs will be required to appoint a 'Covid officer', the association said.

  3. Lockdown exit level one changes summary

    Deputy Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham rounded up the "small set of changes" the Government of Jersey has implemented with entering level one of its Safe Exit Framework from midnight.

    These are:

    • Working from home will no longer be the recommended default option for businesses
    • Up to 80 people can attend funerals, but at wakes and other gatherings remain limited to 20 participants, unless they are "controlled events" which are permitted to have up to 40 people
    • All close personal contact services and treatments are now permitted, including close work on or around the face
    • Open houses permitted for estate agents
    • Changing rooms and showers can reopen

    The advice for islanders "at high risk on returning to work is not changing" and they should use "personal judgement" with available support, the government said.

    The government added that it would begin planning for performing arts venues, sporting venues and events planning to pilot a safe opening approach in the autumn with individual organisations

    These included the JAC, Opera House, Cineworld, the Jersey Reds and Jersey Bulls.

  4. Flu and coronavirus could 'overwhelm' health services

    A combination of flu and coronavirus cases this winter could "overwhelm" Jersey's health services, the deputy medical officer of health has said.

    Dr Ivan Muscat said the island needed to avoid a surge of the two infections arising at the same time, which could lead to confusion over the cause of an individual's symptoms.

    A flu vaccine is expected to be rolled out in early October to 50-65 olds, as well as being extended to those outside that group who were "at risk", Dr Muscat said.

    Schoolchildren up to year 11 will also be given given the flu vaccination due to being "super-spreaders" of the common winter infection, contrary to their role in coronavirus.

    Dr Muscat said: "If you vaccinate your schoolchildren well, you protect your community as a whole probably better than just vaccinating the adults."

    He added that the programme would work as trial run for when a coronavirus vaccine was expected in the "late autumn".

  5. Alcohol 'a key factor' in breaking public health guidance

    The most common examples of non-compliance with public health measures have been seen in Jersey's night-time economy, Health and Social Services Minster Richard Renouf said.

    He said: "We do want people to enjoy themselves and have a social life, but alcohol does dis-inhibit us if we have too much of it.

    "We get too close to each other in these situations, when we're meant to stay apart from people we're not living with, we crowd together and we forget about the necessary public health measures."

    Deputy Renouf appealed in particular to young people to think of more vulnerable family members when drinking with friends.

    "It could potentially be so much more devastating for those people.

    "We've got to think of ourselves as a community and ask everyone to restrain themselves and think before they act."

  6. Enforcement of virus rules to be 'stepped up'

    The Government of Jersey is stepping up its enforcement of coronavirus health rules as the island enters level one of its safe exit framework.

    Islanders who do not obey self-isolation rules will be at risk of arrest and face a fine of up to £1,000, the Health and Social Services Minister Richard Renouf said.

    The penalty for those who refuse to take a test "without a reasonable excuse" is increased to £10,000.

    "We don't want prosecutions unless absolutely necessary, it's far better that islanders comes to a better understanding of the risks and stop gambling on the gains we have worked so hard to achieve up to this point," Deputy Renouf said.

    Senator Lyndon Farnham said the government's first priority would be to ensure businesses understand their responsibilities in adhering to the rules, and had tried to avoid being "over-zealous" in its sanctions.

    He added that businesses who failed to follow the rules could be fined and even shut down "for short periods of time".

    Such actions could be pursued under Health and Safety legislation that requires businesses to follow public health guidance, Mr Renouf added.

    Mr Farnham concluded it was important to ensure both the economy and islanders were protected in order to avoid having to "roll-back" to a lockdown.

  7. Government caution 'to protect' low level of transmission

    Deputy Chief Minister Lyndon Farham explained the government is being "slightly more cautious" over relaxing lockdown restrictions to "protect" the low level of transmission in Jersey

    He said: "We've taken a step into level one and we're going to monitor the position, because we don't want to jeopardise that and start moving backwards."

  8. Nightclubs remain closed as 'dancing very high risk'

    Jersey's nightclubs will remain closed "as dancing is considered very high risk" for the transmission of coronavirus, Deputy Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham said.

    This level of risk means this will continue to be the case for "some time", he added.

    However, Senator Farnham argued the venues can offer table service for drinks, as the "majority" of late licensed premises had other types of licence to allow this.

    Deputy medical officer of health, Dr Ivan Muscat, said nightclubs "tick all of the high-risk boxes" for spreading Covid-19, including proximity, talking loudly, singing, laughing, exercise, drinking alcohol and being indoors.

    He said: "If you look at the categorisation of risky venues, nightclubs are by far at the top of that list."

  9. 'Pause' on lifting public health restrictions

    Jersey needs to "pause" in the process of reopening and "put more emphasis" on monitoring current restrictions, deputy medical officer of health Dr Ivan Muscat has said.

    This is to ensure islanders can "continue to enjoy the newly regained freedoms" they have enjoyed since lockdown and keep levels of coronavirus low.

    This can be achieved by "putting more emphasis on monitoring adherence to public health guidelines", Dr Muscat said.

  10. Mobile testing lab due to be up and running in September

    Jersey's mobile coronavirus testing laboratory is due to arrive in the middle of August and could become operational in September, Dr Ivan Muscat has said.

    The equipment will be used to test new arrivals in the island.

    After its arrival, the laboratory equipment must be "validated" in co-operation with Kings College London, the deputy medical officer of health said.

  11. Catering and events businesses 'must remain closed'

    The catering and events industry in Jersey will continue to remain closed, due to gathering restrictions meaning non-family or funeral events must remain limited to 20 people

    Senator Lyndon Farnham explained the current plan for lifting gathering restrictions on events was to begin in September, but this was "dependent on the spread of the pandemic".

    He admitted there had been a "lack of consistency" at times in the phased release of lockdown, but argued the advice from government experts was to not "open everything at once".

    "My message to the events industry is we will continue to talk with them and are continuing to monitor the situation closely."

    Mr Farnham said the government was investigating how they could provide additional financial support to the industry, as one of the few sectors in operation in Jersey still unable to open at all.

  12. Indoor sports still 'strongly discouraged' by government

    People in Jersey are still being advised against taking part in indoor sports like squash.

    Strenuous indoor activity in "close proximity or in confined spaces" is being "strongly discouraged", Deputy Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham said.

    He added that they were "continuing to monitor the situation" and take advice from the government's Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell (Stacc).

  13. Random checks for public health compliance

    Random spot checks to ensure Jersey business are complying with the government's public health rules will begin today, Deputy Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham has announced.

    The Health and Safety Inspectorate will conduct the visits to start and will "enforce" compliance with the rules "if necessary", he added.

    Senator Farnham said: "It's for all our safety and the protection of our enviable position currently."

  14. Social gatherings still limited to 20 people

    Social gatherings, including parties and barbecues in a private setting, are still limited to 20 people in Jersey, Health Minister Richard Renouf has confirmed.

    As the island moves into level one of its safe exit framework, funerals can now be attended by up to 80 people.

  15. Jersey 'must learn' from local outbreaks elsewhere

    Jersey "must learn" from coronavirus outbreaks in the UK and France, Health and Social Services Minister Richard Renouf said.

    Citing the examples of recent local lockdowns in Manchester and Aberdeen, he argued the island must "proceed with caution" to protect people, particularly those who are vulnerable to the virus.

    Deputy Renouf said: "The risk has not gone, it is not diminished and we should not think that level one will allow us to return to life as normal."

    He added that the government would only be able to lift the public health pandemic measures when there is a vaccine available and said Jersey's health services are ready to roll one out as soon as it is available.

    "Until that time it's critical that islanders and businesses need to continue to comply with all health guidelines," Mr Renouf said.

  16. Government to 'step up' Covid-19 communications

    The Government of Jersey will be "stepping up" the communication of its public health guidelines, Senator Lyndon Farnham said.

    This was in order to "make it absolutely clear what islanders and business need to do to keep each other safe", he added.

  17. Jersey to enter level one of exit from lockdown

    Jersey will enter level one of its exit from lockdown from midnight, when the government will no longer recommend working from home as the "default option" for businesses, Senator Lyndon Farnham has announced.

    Senator Lyndon Farnham said they plan to take a "more cautious" approach to further changes to the Safe Exit Framework while outlining other changes the Government of Jersey would implement.

    These include:

    • Allowing funerals of up to 80 attendees, with wakes other family events limited to 40 people
    • All "close personal contact services" can resume, particularly those that involve working on the face
  18. Health warning issued for heat wave

    St Brelade's beach in Jersey

    Health officials have issued a warning about the health risks associated with hot weather as Jersey Met forecasts a heatwave.

    Temperatures are forecast to reach 33C (91F) on Friday and are expected to remain high for the next six days, with maximum temperatures reaching 27C (81F) or higher each day.

    The last time the island had temperatures this high, for a six-day period, was in July 2006, the Government of Jersey said.

    Deputy medical officer for health Dr Ivan Muscat urged islanders to take "simple precautions to protect themselves in the heat".

    Dr Muscat said particularly for older people, babies, young children and anyone with a chronic medical condition, particularly heart or respiratory problems.

    Beach in Jersey

    Advice for keeping cool in the hot weather:

    • Shut windows, pull down the shades or keep the curtains closed to keep your rooms as cool as possible, open them for ventilation when it is cooler if it’s safe
    • Stay out of the sun and don’t go out between 11:00 and 15:00 if you’re vulnerable to the effects of heat
    • Don’t get sunburnt, as it increases your risk of developing skin cancer in future years
    • Have cool baths or showers and splash yourself with cool water
    • Drink cold drinks regularly, such as water and fruit juice and avoid tea, coffee and alcohol
    • Identify the coldest room in the house so you know where to go to keep cool
    • Wear loose, cool clothing
    • Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be less able to look after themselves
    • Take steps to ensure protection from the sun through the use of sunscreen and hats, especially important for babies and young children
    • Be aware that extreme levels of heat can develop in cars and other confined spaces and avoid leaving children or pets in cars, even for very short periods
  19. Unemployment due to rise by 1.6% in 2020

    Rebecca Thorn

    BBC News

    Unemployment in Jersey is expected to rise by 1.6% this year, according to the Fiscal Policy Panel (FPP).

    Their latest review of the island's economy found that unemployment peaked in May at 2,380 - an increase of 1,500 since the start of 2020.

    Although data from July shows this peak has fallen by about 600, unemployment levels remain more than double what they were last year.

    The island's economy is predicted to shrink by 6% by 2024, a 2% sharper contraction than originally forecast by the panel's review in March.

    The coronavirus pandemic has also left the States with a large and structural deficit, meaning the government will have to decide how to tackle a "permanent imbalance" in revenues and spending.

    The FPP has advised the government does not make large cuts quickly, but should aim to get rid of the deficit by 2024 as the economy recovers.

    House prices have increased by 10% since March, a change triggered by the easing of lockdown restrictions, according to the panel.

    However, the review suggests there will remain "considerably fewer transactions" than last year.

    The panel's findings will influence the next government plan, which is due to be debated by the States in December.