COVID ROADMAP: What is changing today?

Monday 15 March 2021

Gyms and pools will be open to the public again from today as the island moves to the next stage of its ‘roadmap,' which sets out the gradual easing of restrictions put in place to tackle the spread of covid-19.

From today (Monday 15 March):

• islanders can take part in indoor sport and exercise, including swimming, with no restriction on intensity (subject to two-metre distancing). Jacuzzis, saunas and steam rooms remain closed, however.

• Up to 45 children and adults can participate in outdoor sport.

• Indoor children’s play activities can resume with up to 10 people.

• Amusement arcades and activity centres can reopen with two-metre distancing in place.

• Singing and music groups (including players of brass and woodwind instruments) of up to 10 people can meet indoors, and up to 15 children can now sing together in school. However, current guidance still states that they should not gather together to sing for more than 30 minutes.

Today was also due to see islanders able to mix in each other’s homes again for the first time since December, but Ministers decided to bring that date forward to Mother’s Day, yesterday. 

The next step in Jersey’s ‘covid roadmap’ – the plan charting the island’s path out of ‘lockdown lite’ – is expected to come on Monday 12 April. 

Subject to case numbers remaining low, at that point, hospitality venues should then be allowed to serve alcohol without a meal at tables, and outdoor gatherings will be able to increase to 20 people. Spectators should also be welcomed back to outdoor sports, and the ‘work from home if you can’ instruction will come to an end.

Speaking ahead of today’s easing of restrictions, Chief Minister Senator John Le Fondré said: “Jersey is in a good position, we have not seen an impact in cases following the reopening of hospitality over two weeks ago. This shows that Islanders and businesses are doing well to reduce and prevent the transmission of covid-19.

“Public Health officials have developed supplementary guidelines to accompany the relaxations in areas outlined under Stage 4 reconnection. The guidelines and measures support our intention to allow for our reconnection to happen carefully and cautiously, to avoid covid-19 spread and the need to rescind any relaxations. This is our route to regaining our freedoms and we are all responsible for ensuring a safe transition.

“We can once again all enjoy this partial lifting of restrictions from Monday, but we should do so with the safety of ourselves and others, as well as the security of businesses, in mind.”

Health Minister Deputy Richard Renouf added: “The activities permitted under Stage 4 have a focus on health and wellbeing. We know these areas offer huge benefits for Islanders in keeping active and social which have been missed for the past few months.

“I’m really pleased that it is now safe to reopen indoor sports and exercise and increase outdoor participation for some sport to 45 people. It is important to understand the guidance, which applies to each area, and focus efforts on maintaining high standards of adherence to wider public health measures which remain in place, such as keeping 2 meters away from those you don’t live which remains law within indoor sport and exercise and the uptake of frequent hygiene measures.   

“Our vaccination programme is going so well; the team have now vaccinated 92% of those over 60 with a first dose. This level of protection shouldn’t be an opportunity for anyone to drop their guard and I thank Islanders for their ongoing support while we exit restrictions. The next 3 months could be really positive if we all remain vigilant.”

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