Guernsey CM regrets not wearing mask in Catholic leaders meeting

Monday 15 November 2021

Guernsey's Chief Minister has admitted he should have worn a mask at a meeting with Catholic leaders last week, just days after "strongly" recommending that others wear them when distancing is not possible.

When covid cases hit 233 on 21 October, Deputy Peter Ferbrache advised that face coverings should be worn "in settings where physical distancing is not possible, where there are close crowds or where individuals need to work in very close proximity with colleagues, service users or customers."

Nine days later, Deputy Ferbrache attended a breakfast meeting with local and national Catholic leaders at the Old Government House Hotel. Pictures of the event were widely circulated and showed attendees in close proximity without face coverings.

With the number of covid cases having risen to nearly 400 on Friday, Deputy Ferbrache wrote to islanders imploring them to step up their efforts to stop the spread of the virus and avoid face masks being made mandatory.

"Let’s face it, the use of face coverings is poor. Even in the sorts of places where they are recommended - crowded places, places with poor ventilation, places where it’s hard to socially distance – very few people are using them," he wrote.

‘Do as I say.’ Perhaps? ???? pic.twitter.com/wDwoTONmSN

— Gavin St Pier ???????? (@gavinstpier) November 12, 2021

When approached by Express late on Friday, Deputy Ferbrache quickly and freely accepted that his own compliance with the Authority's recommendations had "not been perfect", including at the breakfast event with Catholic leaders, but said he had since redoubled his efforts to be vigilant and fully understood the need for government to "lead by example".

"Yes, I'm happy to admit that I wish I had worn a face covering on that occasion," said Deputy Ferbrache. 

"We had just finished a meal and masks were not worn when eating and we then walked to the opposite side of the room where the photograph was taken. The venue was large and well-ventilated, but in hindsight I still should have used a face covering, particularly when gathering with other members for the photo. 

"Since that meeting I have made a concerted effort to ensure I am using my face covering in all recommended settings as those of us in government must lead by example, but even then I know I’ve not been perfect."

The island's former Chief Minister and previous Chair of the island's emergency decision-making body, the Civil Contingencies Authority (CCA), said it was important for members of the public to see their political leaders doing what they were asking others to do following the release of Deputy Ferbrache's open letter.

"GuernseyTogether achieved amazing levels of community compliance because everyone understood what was being asked of them and why - and had confidence in the decision-making process," said Deputy Gavin St Pier.

"That requires the States to walk-the-walk in their own conduct, demonstrating best practice. So the change signalled is to be welcomed.

"My fear is, though, that in practice there is now too little time before the meeting of the CCA next week for any changes in community behaviour to materially impact the recent upward trajectory of cases. So it may be too late to avoid mandatory action, which would be unfortunate."

Deputy Ferbrache also criticised the questions put to him by Express.

"I think this enquiry is more a matter of political point-scoring by Deputy St Pier and former Deputy Fallaize, and I’d ask both to focus their efforts on helping me and the CCA encourage greater use of face coverings and help us all prevent the spread of covid-19, which is in the interests of the Bailiwick as a whole," he said.

The use of face masks in public settings is currently "strongly recommended" in Jersey.