Construction sites told to close tonight

Friday 03 April 2020

The government has told all construction sites in Jersey to close this evening until further notice, as it extends its wage subsidy scheme to cover the industry during ‘lockdown’.

Every site must close from 18:00 tonight (Friday 3 April), but certain projects deemed ‘essential’ will be granted special permits to re-open – provided they have strict procedures in place adhering to public health advice.

Three major projects are expected to be granted this permission immediately, due to their essential nature, including the refurbishment of Rozel Ward at the Hospital, the repair of St. Ouen’s sea wall (which has to be completed before the next spring tide) and the reconstruction of Jersey’s Energy Recovery Facility boiler. 

The instruction is based on advice from Jersey’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ivan Muscat, and applies not only to construction sites but to all activity across the sector.

A Government permit scheme will be launched next week to grant special permission for certain work to re-start. Sites will be prioritised as follows.

• Category A: sites which provide critical national infrastructure and services which keep islanders and the environment safe and secure (includes sewer maintenance; sea defences; telecoms and utility work; ports; emergency maintenance of publicly-owned assets, parish estates and public and private assets which support the island);
• Category B: sites which provide public service which can operate safely including Les Quennevais School and the Sewage Treatment Works;
• Category C: all other sites and services which are currently operating and can operate safely.

Commenting on the advice, Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture Senator Lyndon Farnham said: “Medical advice is that only sites providing critical national infrastructure and services which keep the island’s residents and environment safe and secure should continue, provided that they meet the standards expected.

“It’s accepted that is can be difficult to apply social distancing on building sites, and I would expect the experience derived from these Category A sites to be used to determine the quality and control practices needed for other sites to receive a permit to reopen.”