Minister Wants To Extend Some Covid Powers

Jersey's Health Minister wants the government to keep certain Covid powers until December 2022.

Deputy Richard Renouf says - given there is still uncertainty - it is reasonable to keep hold of some legislation so action can be taken quickly if needed.

If agreed, the government would be able to put border restrictions like testing and self-isolation back in place.

Deputy Renouf says there still might be an urgent need to control a new variant of concern that could come into the island from another country.

He says the extension would mean the next Council of Ministers can review the need for legislation after the June election and bring any changes to the States Assembly later this year.

The right would remain to stop people attending wedding and civil ceremonies 'should the Covid-19 situation change' and adult care services would be able to carry on operating with reduced staff numbers because of Covid.

Other powers  - including enforcing rules to physically distance, and forcing businesses to close or only operate in certain ways to try and limit the spread of the virus - will expire at the end of April.

“I would like to thank Islanders for doing their part in our fight against COVID-19. The introduction of our vaccination programme has led to a significant reduction in severe illness and minimised disruption to critical services.”

While we have come a long way and we are in a positive position to be lifting restrictions, it is necessary to retain the Enabling Law as a contingency measure so that action can be taken quickly to protect public health should the pandemic situation change.” - Deputy Richard Renouf.

Deputy Renouf wants the enabling law to expire at the end of 16 December 2022 and for the remaining Covid-19 legislation to expire at the end of 30 September 2022.

Tomorrow (17 February) Guernsey will become the first place in the British Isles to end all Covid restrictions, including mandatory self-isolation.

The island's Civil Contingencies Authority said it has decided not to renew the emergency powers.

No exact date has been given for Jersey scrapping compulsory quarantine of people who test positive for the virus, except that it will be before 31 March 2022.

That date will be exactly two years since the island first went into lockdown because of the pandemic.