Parking charges scrapped

Monday 30 March 2020

Parking charges and time restrictions have been scrapped in all government-run car parks and on-street spaces, after the island entered lockdown this morning.

Patriotic Street Car Park remains for the use of health workers only, while parking on Gloucester Street is reserved for emergency health parking.

Last night, the government told islanders to “stay at home, save lives”, as it announced a series of strict new curbs on island life - all backed by the full force of the law.

Video: The Chief Minister and Health Minister announcing the news.

The new rules, which came into force at 08:00, are as follows.

• Islanders can only leave their homes for a maximum of two hours a day to shop for necessities, exercise or for medical reasons, while observing social distancing rules.
• All non-essential shops must close.
• All public gatherings of more than two people - other than from the same household - are banned.
• No visitors to homes - including friends and family.
• Funerals should only be attended by immediate family.

These apply to everyone except on-duty ‘essential workers’ and will last at least the next 30 days.

In line with this, the Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Kevin Lewis, changed the rules for the use of government-run car parks and on-street parking.

Until further notice:

• there are no time restrictions or charges for using Government-run car parks and on-street spaces; 
• Patriotic Street Car Park is for the use of health workers only;
• parking on Gloucester Street is for emergency health parking only.

“Introducing the parking rules usually applied on Sundays and bank holidays will enable our resources to be focused on essential island services, but I would remind all islanders to please continue to respect the rules around disabled and parent child spaces and action will still be taken if any cars are parked dangerously or illegally.  

“Patriotic Street and Gloucester Street parking will be for the exclusive use of health workers only, so that these individuals are able to continue to carry out the vital job of caring for islanders during these unprecedented times.”

Asked by Express whether any provision would be made for patients with mobility issues needing to access the hospital, officials added: "The basement area of [Patriotic Street] is still available for patients, as are the disabled parking bays within the car park."

CLICK HERE for list of all the Government-run car parks.