Rules on gatherings will be halved and hospitality will be required to close by 10:30 to try and stop the ever-increasing number of coronavirus cases in Jersey.

New targeted measures are being introduced as the rate of infection continues to slowly build on-island. There are currently 152 known active cases.

It's particularly in response to increasing case numbers on-island, rather than through the border.

There have been 30 cases through unknown original infection so far this month, compared to eight in October and one in September.

There have been seven clusters so far this month, compared to four in October.

20 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus after seeking healthcare so far this month, compared to 14 in October and one in September.

The rules to be introduced this week are:

• The rules on formal gatherings will be cut from 40 to 20. Informal gatherings will be cut from 20 to 10
• Year 11-13 schoolchildren will be required to wear masks in communal, indoor areas in schools. Teachers will have to wear masks or visors. All children in these year groups will be tested for Covid-19.
• Hospitality will stop serving customers at 10pm and close by 10:30pm
• Isolation for arrivals from red areas will reduce from 14 days to 10, but with testing on Days 0, 5, and 10.
• Funeral gatherings will be cut from 80 to 40

The current Jersey rate of infection is 105.7 cases per 100,000. 97% of current cases are Jersey residents.

28 cases this month came via inbound travel, of which 75% were from red zones.

New economic measures will also come into force to support businesses suffering most.

A payroll co-funding scheme three plus is also being launched to help those businesses suffering most.

Companies will get a contribution per employee based on the drop in trade this year compared to the same time in 2019.

A specific scheme is also being launched for the visitor accommodation sector.

The government has ruled out spreading rumours of lockdown. Last week, Senator John Le Fondre called them 'unfounded and untrue'.