Non-essential retail was originally due to reopen last Wednesday, but was postponed after a cluster of cases was identified in the supply chain.
The Chief Minister said last night that a total of eight cases had been identified as a result of the cluster, which has now been successfully contained.
In advance of today’s reopening, a number of new covid safety measures were put in place, including:
- The removal of bins and benches where space is limited, and where they could interfere with the flow of people around town
- New signs encouraging pedestrians to keep left and stay two metres away from each other
- Floor signs and chevrons delineating two-metre spacing
- A recommendation that people treat town as a ‘mask zone’, wearing face coverings inside and out when moving between shops
Pictured: Islanders are being urged to treat town as a ‘mask zone’ and wear their masks when moving between shops – not just inside them.
A safe opening checklist was also created for retailers, advising stores that staff should not come to work if they have any symptoms and that they should be screened for covid regularly.
Retailers are also being advised to ensure their premises are well-ventilated, that they regularly clean touch points and shared equipment and that they limit the number of customers in order to ensure two metres between them.
A ‘Covid Support Team’ made up of 15 members of the Contact Tracing Team has also been established to visit retailers and offer advice.
Pictured: Businesses are being reminded to ventilate their shops and make sure that any artificial ventilation is working properly.
Police will also be making extra patrols around St. Helier.
