What Will Stage 2 Lockdown Exit Mean?

Four households will be able to form a bubble instead of the current two, when restrictions in the Bailiwick are eased further.

Social gatherings of up to 20 people will be allowed indoors and 30 outdoors - keeping two metres apart and not in private homes or gardens.

New guidance has been issued for when Guernsey does move to Stage 2 of lockdown exit.

No date has been given yet. 

The Civil Contingencies Authority will meet on Tuesday to review the latest Public Health evidence.  An update is expected at Wednesday's media briefing.

The CCA has said it is aiming to align the move to Stage 2 with the reopening of schools which will go ahead on Monday 8 March.

Businesses are being told to make sure they know what will be expected of their sector and prepare accordingly.

It is still strongly advised that people should work from home wherever possible.

Non-essential retail and some hospitality businesses such as cafes and restaurants will be able to reopen in Stage 2 but with strict measures in place, including for example, a ten person limit at tables, and a requirement that alcohol only be served with food.

Gyms will be allowed to reopen, but cannot offer group lessons.

Public toilets will reopen, but children's indoor and outdoor play areas will remain closed.

People will need to continue to wear face coverings in indoor public places and on public transport.

The full guidance is being published on the States of Guernsey website.

“The move to Stage 2 will be a big step towards normality, compared to the significant restrictions we’ve needed to have in place since the end of January. But we should not think of it as being back to normal yet. This will be a big test, to see if it sparks a rise in cases of COVID-19 and to see how effectively we can find them and control them. That’s why we need everyone to work with us in this next Stage.

There’s a lot of guidance to get to grips with. The rules have been updated in the past few days as we’ve looked again at the latest advice from Public Health, and the evidence relating to this variant and where and how it’s been transmitted. The aim of these rules is to prevent those high-risk scenarios where the virus spreads easily.

We’ve had to work on it quickly so I’m sure it isn’t perfect, and perfection isn’t our aim. We’ll keep listening to feedback and if we can and should make further changes to our rules, we will. But we’re also asking our community again to help us make this next Stage work. We can’t do this without them.” - Deputy Peter Ferbrache, Chair of the Civil Contingencies Authority.