While travel in and out of the island hasn’t been banned yet, the service is asking that people “seriously consider” their trips.
Meanwhile, anyone currently experiencing respiratory symptoms – including a cough, sore throat, running or blocked nose, muscle pains or fatigue – is asked to stay at home until 48 hours after their symptoms have cleared up.
“We’ve always said that we need a calm, proportionate approach, but our approach also needs to take into account the resilience of our local island infrastructure,” said Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola Brink. “So, we have had a more cautious, conservative approach and I think that has served us well over the last few months.
“These are early measures, because we are still in the containment phase, but we believe it is appropriate to introduce them, bearing in mind we live in an island with a single hospital, a single intensive care, a single suite of theatres.”
Those with respiratory symptoms are advised to work from home if they are able to and feel well enough, while following self isolation advice.
“If it’s going to work they have to self isolate,” explained Dr Brink. “It’s pointless people saying they’ll stay off work but go and socialise. It defeats the object.”
The measures will be reviewed regularly, but are expected to be in place for at least a month in the first instance.
“Handling a pandemic has been the issue that’s been at the top of the Bailiwick’s risk register for quite some time,” said Policy & Resources President, Deputy Gavin St Pier. “This is a risk that we have planned for for many years.
Pictured: Deputy Gavin St Pier.
“There is absolutely no need for the community to panic at all. But – there is an important ‘but’ – there is a significant personal responsibility on every member of the community to follow the advice which the experts are giving to the community.
“This is not the flu. This is not a condition that the community have immunity to and therefore no one should treat it likely. There is a responsibly for everyone of whatever age or whatever health condition they are in, to the rest of the community.
“This is a rapidly evolving situation. You will, no doubt, hear further announcements from further public health bodies outside the Bailiwick and I think it’s important to note that the recommendations that are coming from our own authorities are designed to meet the needs of our own community.”
At the moment, there is only one confirmed case of coronavirus in Guernsey.
Pictured: Dr Nicola Brink.
Public Health has been carrying out contact tracing measures following the diagnosis, and all those who had close contact with the patient are now in active surveillance.
“We are very assured by the calm and meticulous approach that’s been taken by the public health team,” added President of Health & Social Care, Deputy Heidi Soulsby. “They have been ahead of the curve. We’re not copying what England or elsewhere are doing, we’re taking the best evidence and using that to determine the response we should take.
“I’d like to emphasise that people keep calm but listen to the public health advice and act on it. We know that, if we don’t, we won’t be able to cope with the number of cases that come to the island. But, by doing so we reduce the number of cases by up to 60%. The whole community has a role to play here.”