EXPLAINED: Can I vote if I have covid on election day?

Friday 17 June 2022

Officials have had to come up with a plan to ensure islanders can still vote next week if they come down with covid following a “sustained and significant” rise in cases over the past 10 days.

There are 639 officially recorded covid cases on the island, and three people in hospital with the illness, according to statistics released this morning.

Since Thursday 9 June, there have been 660 new cases and 414 recoveries. 

Deputy Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ivan Muscat MBE, explained that the rise is likely linked to the emergence of two new variants of Omicron, as in the UK.

There are currently 3 active cases in the hospital and 639 on the Island. Since Thursday 9 June, there have been 660 new cases and 414 recoveries.

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) June 17, 2022

With the uptick in cases coinciding with the coming election, Dr Muscat confirmed that it had been decided that anyone unwell on election day and unable to make it to the polling station would be given the opportunity to vote another way. 

“…The advice is to contact your Parish Hall as soon as possible and they will send an official to you to take your vote,” Dr Muscat said. 

He also reminded islanders to take an LFT before heading to vote.

“The Covid Safe teams have been working with the parishes and States Greffe to do on-site visits and make sure vote sites are following covid-safe guidance. I’d like to thank the parishes for their continued cooperation.”

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that two party leaders had contracted covid: Reform Jersey’s Senator Sam Mézec and the Jersey Alliance’s Sir Mark Boleat.

Senator Mézec posted a photo of his positive lateral flow test to social media on Monday, commenting: “Horrendous timing.

"Sorry to any constituents this means I won’t be able to get round to seeing on the doorstep as I take a few days to get over this.

"I’m available on the phone and online for any voter who wants a chat. Will also fit in some social media live Q&As.”

Horrendous timing.

Sorry to any constituents this means I won’t be able to get round to seeing on the doorstep as I take a few days to get over this.

I’m available on the phone and online for any voter who wants a chat. Will also fit in some social media live Q&As. pic.twitter.com/mU5vk17WKS

— Senator Sam Mézec (@SamMezecJsy) June 13, 2022

The Alliance announced Sir Mark’s illness in a statement on Tuesday.

“Sir Mark Boleat has tested positive for covid and as a result will not be continuing his door-to-door campaign in St Clement,” it read.

“Sir Mark is in good spirits but disappointed that he is not meeting people face to face.

"Sir Mark has had a manifesto sent to all voters in St. Clements and is happy to take phone calls from registered voters in the parish. 

“He will continue working on social media from home.”