Covid Review: Call For Evidence

The independent panel reviewing Jersey's Covid-19 response is inviting evidence.

Sir Derek Myers and Professor Maggie Rae - who are leading the probe - want to hear the experiences of islanders, community groups and businesses - and what lessons they think can be learned.

"We are particularly keen to hear from those individuals and minority groups who may sometimes find it difficult to have their voices heard.

While we can’t deal with individual complaints or issues, we hope that by listening to their experiences, we can take away learnings to better manage crisis situations, like the pandemic, as an island." - Sir Derek Myers.

Constable Mike Jackson wanted a review completed before the election, but the States Assembly voted to implement a deadline of 29 July 2022.

The review - described as objective, impartial and independent - will give recommendations for how to manage any similiar disruptive event in the future.

It will focus on the policies, decisions, and actions taken by the government and its partners.

Islanders have until Monday 11 April to submit evidence online or by post:

People can write to Covid Review Panel, PO Box 700, Jersey, JE4 0PE.

The panel says it has already spoken to Parish Constables, the Jersey Care Commission, the Jersey Hospitality Association, the Director of Public Health, Jersey Business, the Jersey Care Federation, and the Primary Care Board.

Members will return to Jersey next month to hold more meetings with community groups.

Meanwhile, islanders who test positive for Covid-19 at home are now being given a new way to alert contacts.

People who submit a positive LFT result online will get a code by text message to use on the Jersey Covid Alert App.

Any close contacts also using the app will get an exposure notification on their phone and be advised to do LFTs for the next ten days.

Previously the alerts had been sent when a positive PCR was returned.

Close contacts are defined as members of the same household or anyone they have spent 'a prolonged period of time with over the previous three days.'

They don't have to isolate as long as they're not showing symptoms or tested positive.

Anyone who gets a positive lateral flow test has to log the result online, book a PCR test as confirmation of the positive result, and isolate until getting a negative PCR test result.

"This new digital feature allows Islanders to anonymously alert their close contacts sooner than previously possible. This means that positive cases may be identified more quickly as direct contacts are advised to test themselves with an LFT.

I am aware that a number of Islanders may be hesitant to inform close contacts if they are positive with COVID-19, so the app is a brilliant way to do this anonymously.

I would encourage Islanders to download the app if they haven’t already done so, as we continue to de-escalate measures and learn to live with COVID-19 in this new normal way of life." - Deputy Richard Renouf, Health Minister.

The workplace testing programme ended earlier this week. Employees are being asked to register for the home testing programme instead.