Ministers Reveal 'Phased' Approach To Lifting Lockdown

We can spend up to fours a day outside from tomorrow (2 May) and spend that time on any outdoor activity with people you live with, as well as two people you don't live with, as long as physical distancing is maintained.

The government's Stay at Home order has been relaxed to support islanders wellbeing through the coronavirus crisis.

Lockdown hasn't been lifted, but the government says this is aimed at making it easier for people to cope while it continues - especially those in cramped homes, without a garden or balcony, as well as people who live alone and in stressful family situations.

There are four levels to relaxing the restrictions, with these changes identified as Level 4 - they will be relaxed gradually until getting to Level 1, which will still include physical distancing and avoiding large gatherings.

Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré says a safe exit from lockdown will probably take a number of months and will happen safely if we keep working together:

"From tomorrow, Islanders are still encouraged to spend most of their time at home. However, we want everyone to be able to take care of their wellbeing. So from tomorrow, you will be able to spend up to four hours a day away from your home, rather than two and this will be for necessary shopping, medical reasons or any activity outside of your home."

He adds that as people meet others outside their homes, infection rates will rise and some will need hospital care - which shows that a staged approach to increasing physical contact is critical to helping to manage those rates and stopping health services from getting overwhelmed.

Level 3 is currently planned to come into effect on the 12th of May, lifting the 'Stay at Home' order and any restrictions on the time that can be spent outside our homes.

More businesses, including pubs and restaurants with outside eating space, will also be able to re-open.

The phases are as follows:

* Phase 4: (current restrictions) Stay at home for all but four hours every day. You can go outside and take part in more outdoor activities, with people from your home and up to two people you don't live with, as long as physical distancing (two metres/six feet) is maintained.

* Phase 3: Lifting the 'Stay At Home' order. Some businesses will be able to operate, off-island travel will stay tightly limited and schools will stay shut for the time being. it's hoped Phase 3 will come into effect from 12 May.

* Phase 2: More businesses with mitigation plans and appropriate distancing could reopen, along with community services. More of us will be able to travel off-island but it's likely that the 14-day self-isolation rule will still be in effect.

* Phase 1: The 'new normal'. We will be able to gather in homes again and most places will be allowed to reopen as long with strict social distancing and hygiene measures in place.

"Thanks to Islanders adhering to the ‘Stay Home’ instruction we have delayed the spread of the virus and given our healthcare services valuable time to prepare. We have made substantial investments in PPE and ventilators, brought the Island’s GPs into Health and Community Services, and have increased our capacity by constructing a temporary Nightingale ward.

"All of this has allowed us to consider easing the lockdown. The safe exit framework depends on advice from the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) and will be gradually implemented under constant monitoring. A programme of testing and contact- tracing will track any  outbreaks of the virus when they arise and shielding arrangements for the most vulnerable will still need to remain in place.

"We will move as quickly as we safely can, because we recognise the need for families, communities and businesses to return to a more normal life as soon as possible. But we must avoid overloading our health and care services. So we will only move through each level sensibly, when we have a clear view of how COVID-19 is spreading across Jersey, and of the pressures health and care services are under. This is the only way we can take the necessary steps to a more normal way of life, while the pandemic persists." - Deputy Richard Renouf, Health Minister.

People with health conditions that put them at high risk of severe illness from Covid-19 should still stay at home.

24 people have now died with Covid-19 related conditions.

10 of the 24 people passed away in care homes.

6 people have passed away in the 80-89 age group. The youngest person to die was in their 50s.

In the latest update, the number of confirmed cases stays at 286. More than 2,500 tests have come back negative.

The number of people to have fully recovered also remains at 197.

Details on each phase of the plan and how it affects you can be found here.