Mandatory isolation to end on Friday

Wednesday 27 April 2022

The legal need to isolate after a positive covid test will come to an end on Friday.

However, islanders with covid or showing symptoms of the virus will still be strongly recommended to isolate and book a PCR test.

And although they will no longer be breaking the law if they don’t isolate, islanders who test positive for covid should plan to isolate for up to ten days. 

Starting from Day 5, they can leave if they receive a negative Lateral Flow Test result and another negative result 24 hours later, providing they don’t still have a temperature or feel unwell.

After ten days isolating, individuals should return to normal activity even if their LFT is still positive, providing they feel well.

The end of mandatory isolation at 00:01 on Friday is one of the last major measures of the Government’s covid ‘de-escalation’ strategy.

It was due to happen at the end of March but was pushed back to the end of April due to the presence of the more transmissible BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron and stubbornly high case numbers at the time.

Since then, there has been a significant decline in the average number of daily cases from 300 at the beginning of March to 84 cases today.

Cases in care homes and hospital have also fallen; there are currently seven people in hospital with the virus.

Chief Minister Senator John Le Fondré said: “I am pleased to announce that isolation following a positive PCR test will no longer be a legal requirement. 

“This decision has been made based on the latest Public Health intelligence and is proportionate to the new phase of the pandemic that we are now in. 

“However, it is important to highlight that Public Health guidance continues to strongly encourage isolation to Islanders who are symptomatic, waiting for their PCR test result, or have had a positive covid test result.

“Islanders are already understanding and managing their own personal risk and have become so accustomed to isolating away from others when infected with covid. This behaviour, to protect others, has become ingrained in Jersey’s culture, and it must continue. 

“It is important to recognise that we are not post-covid; we are post-emergency. This means the virus still poses a threat. I therefore strongly urge Islanders to continue following the guidance so that we can all enjoy an uninterrupted summer.”

From Friday, the daily publication of covid statistics will become weekly, with updates being posted each Thursday.

The Government’s team of covid advisers, the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell, or STAC, will also discontinue but will be able to reform if needed.

Deputy Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ivan Muscat MBE, who has played a leading role in the island's response to the pandemic, commented: “Over the past two years, islanders have protected themselves and one another by following the Public Health guidance and adhering to the legal requirements, it is very important that a proportionate approach continues albeit under the umbrella of a recommendation.

"Islanders should continue doing what they have already been doing by following the guidance to isolate, test, and vaccinate.” 

Follow Express for updates...