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Halloween revellers queuing for a taxi at the Weighbridge this weekend are to be given free disposable face masks amid concerns they might forget to physically distance.
The measure has been put in place due to a predicted surge in the number of people enjoying a night out, and aims to reinforce new mask-wearing guidance.
It also aims to provide an additional protection for taxi drivers servicing the nighttime economy, and who may also provide transport for vulnerable islanders.
Marshals will be at the rank from 21:00 on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October, as well as the following Friday and Saturday, handing out the masks for people to use while they wait for a taxi, and when they get into one.
Once the taxi journey is over, passengers are asked to safely dispose of their mask by:
“This is the first weekend since we strengthened the recommendation to wear masks in enclosed public spaces where physical distancing and contact tracing is difficult," Dr Ivan Muscat, who is leading the island's approach to the pandemic, explained.
Pictured: Islanders should wash their hands after disposing of their masks.
“We are aware that the Halloween weekend can be busy for the night-time economy, and that people are likely to be more relaxed as the evening wears on and be less aware of maintaining physical distance.
“Wearing masks in these areas will minimise the risk of spreading covid-19 in the community as they reduce the spread of the droplets emitted when breathing, talking, coughing and sneezing, which is the main way that this virus is transmitted.”
The measure comes in addition to the Government asking children not to go trick-or-treating this Halloween over concerns it could spread covid-19 and cause anxiety among vulnerable islanders.
Mask-wearing became strongly recommended in all public spaces, such as shops, post offices banks, and salons, and on all forms of public transport on Monday.
Pictured: Children have been told not to go trick-or-treating this Halloween.
Employers, meanwhile, were asked to take a "common sense" approach to wearing masks in the workplace.
Wearing a mask is not compulsory, but the Health Minister has previously confirmed plans to make it law, which are expected to be debated next month.
The number of covid cases in Jersey currently stands at 80, with 45 people displaying symptoms and 35 without any.
Total Tests
— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) October 29, 2020
146,240 negative tests (+884)
569 confirmed positive (+3)
467 confirmed recovered (+2)
614 pending
Average turnaround time for test results received in the last 7 days: 16 hours
Further statistics are published on our website: https://t.co/fHGhj0MNED
The Government reported yesterday that two individuals had recovered and three new individuals with covid had been identified (one from inbound travel and two from contact tracing).
One person who was in hospital with the illness has now left.
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