Ability To Use Some Covid Powers Extended

States members have voted to extend the ability to use certain Covid powers until the end of September 2022.

11 powers can be enacted, if necessary, until Friday 30 September.

They include:

• Making it a legal requirement to isolate with Covid-19.
• Introducing border controls
• Allowing adult care services to continue operating with reduced staff due to Covid-19.

The requirement to isolate with coronavirus is due to be lifted at the end of April, but this will allow the Health Minister to reintroduce it if necessary.

The ability to use other powers will expire at the end of April.

They include:

• Making businesses and other venues - like gyms, restaurants, and shops - close.
• Making businesses collect contact tracing details
• Making people wear face coverings inside public spaces
• Controlling gatherings
• Enforcing social distancing

Health Minister Deputy Richard Renouf says the aim is always to relinquish these powers when it's safe - and there is no wish to continue restricting personal liberties for any longer than is necessary.

"Whilst we may be in a new post-emergency phase, the pandemic is not over, so we must be prepared in case there's any deterioration in the situation and this includes being able to draw on certain pieces of legislation which we should retain to manage the ongoing risks and prevent disruption to essential services such as in schools, the hospital, and care homes.

Its been over two years since the beginning of the pandemic. The context has changed significantly in those two years and it's now possible to remove many restrictions safely and allow islanders' lives and livelihoods to return to normal.

But at the same time, it's important to retain some legislation which we could draw on quickly and which reflect the policy changes we might seek to introduce if necessary to manage ongoing risk from the pandemic."

The law to allow the States Assembly to make emergency Covid legislation without the need for prior approval has been extended until 16 December.

It was due to expire on 1 August.

Just over 2,000 people in the island are currently known to have Covid-19. Six are in hospital with the virus.

Deputy Renouf says it's important that the response remains proportionate.

"We do not wish to impose legal restrictions on islanders without a valid reason for doing so, but with infection levels remaining high and Covid-19 cases increasing in many jurisdictions as legal requirements have been removed, we must remain cautious about Jersey's position."