WATCH: Business support announced as social distancing extended to ALL islanders

Friday 20 March 2020

Local businesses will be able to claim a weekly subsidy of £200 per employee, the government has announced, as it rolled out social distancing to ALL islanders.

The Coronavirus Payroll Co-funding Scheme will provide six weeks of co-funded payrolls between sector-specific employers and the government, which will pay employers retrospectively.

This scheme will come into effect for those in employment today (Friday 20 March) and until the end of March, with the first payment due at the beginning of April.

It will operate until the end of April, at which point a structured solution will be introduced by the Council of Ministers for debate by the States Assembly, providing long-term support and security for Island businesses during the lifespan of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Economic Development Minister Senator Lyndon Farnham will be providing more information about the scheme, as well as the proposed £180m support package for businesses hit by the covid-19 pandemic, in a press conference at 15:30 today. You can watch it LIVE on Express's Facebook page.  

Video: An explanation of social distancing.

The news comes as all islanders have been told to practice “social distancing” to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Social distancing means limiting contact with people outside of your household unless absolutely essential. 

The government says this will delay and flatten the curve of infection more than any other measure and is now crucial in order to preserve the good running of our health services.

Islanders are being advised to work from home, if possible, and avoid leisure and social activities that cannot obviously accommodate social distancing. 

Pictured: islanders are being advised to avoid all non essential contact.

 “We have entered a new phase in our strategy to contain coronavirus in Jersey,” the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré said.

“We have been preparing for this phase for some time. The Medical Officer of Health indicates that we are now entering this new phase and must therefore further increase our response.

“We need Islanders to closely adhere to our advice. If islanders socially distance in a serious and proper manner, we can save lives, and potentially prevent, or at least delay, the need for over 65s to self-isolate.

“We ask all Islanders to do their bit and help us saves lives. It may feel odd initially, but in our current circumstances, keeping your distance is the best way to show you care.”

What is social distancing?

To prevent the need to advise further restrictive measures, everyone in Jersey should observe the following principles strictly:

• Keep a distance of 1 metre (3 feet) between you and other people when outside your own home, this means not standing too close to people or congregating inside. 
• Avoid public gatherings where maintaining this distance is not obviously possible.
• Reduce to essential travel if this involves contact with others, and avoid using public transport during peak hours unless you must.
  When using public transport do not wait for the bus standing too close others, and do not sit next to anyone. You can, for example, go for a drive in your own car by yourself or with other members of your household as long as you do not have contact with others.
• Work and study from home if you can. You can take breaks outside, but do not meet with other people unless you can maintain a distance from them.
• You are advised to avoid going to restaurants and bars, nightclubs and other leisure facilities, unless you are confident that the venue has measures in place to maintain social distancing.
• Do not come into close contact with older people. You need to protect them from the virus you may be carrying.
• While you are practicing distancing, you can still go out, get fresh air, do your gardening, walk your dog along a quiet lane or go the beach and undertake similar activities.

For more information on social distancing

Everything you need to know about social-distancing