Small shops which have so far been forced to stay closed can start trading again, although there is not yet a fixed date for businesses such as beauty salons, dental surgeries and hairdressers to resume work.
Discussions are also under way regarding the possible reopening of travel routes in and out of the Island, although it was emphasised at two briefings on Friday that this remained some way off and would have to be carefully managed.
Discussions about a possible ‘island bubble’ arrangement with Guernsey are only ‘at a very early stage’, ministers said. Such an arrangement could allow relatively free travel between the islands if the risk was deemed to be low enough.
At a briefing on Friday, Assistant Treasury Minister Ian Gorst talked about the ‘virtual elimination’ of Covid-19 in Jersey as latest figures showed a continued flattening of the infection curve, with just 11 new cases since the start of May.
Senator Gorst emphasised the harms being suffered during lockdown, with Jersey likely to be experiencing similarly to the UK where levels of domestic violence have increased and missed cancer referrals and chemotherapy appointments has been recorded.
‘Outpatient appointments in Jersey are down by 1,500 a week and elective procedures in hospitals by 175 per week – people are suffering physically, and there is also an impact on mental health, with a 50% increase in welfare calls,’ he said.
Viewing lockdown as a safe option, and exiting as unsafe was ‘not a reasonable assumption’, Senator Gorst added.
Ecomomic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham also confirmed that he would look to extend the payroll scheme further into the late summer and autumn rather than there being the danger of a ‘cliff-edge’ for businesses if support suddenly ceased.
Senator Farnham said that support for businesses would become more tailored to specific sectors, and admitted that hospitality was an area likely to need support into 2021 as a result of the major impact on this summer’s tourist season.
Some hotel owners might consider the risks to their business and consider selling their prime sites, which would be a ‘very concerning’ development, he said, and could impact the volume of flights and boats coming into the Island.
A credit facility for the Island of up to £500 million was being put in place, ministers said. This could help to finance the first stage of Jersey’s response, if necessary, and leave funds available in the Strategic Reserve to put towards major projects, such as the new Hospital project, to stimulate the Island’s economy.
Senator Farnham also faced the Economic and International Scrutiny Panel on Friday.
He was questioned on a number of measures relating to the economy and the unlocking of it, and he revealed a number of strategies were being looked at for re-opening the ports. He stressed, however, that they would need to be done responsibly.
He said: ‘With regards to managing the movement of people we are looking at things, and will reveal them at the appropriate time.
‘Jersey and Guernsey’s success has been down to being able to control our borders and that has to be part of discussions.
‘Before we relax any movement at the borders we have to think very carefully, and it would be irresponsible to allow people into the Island without having rigorous health checks in place to find out if they are virus-free.’
He was also asked about the economic impacts of Jersey changing to an elimination strategy, suggested for discussion by Deputy Jess Perchard in a proposition lodged this week.
Senator Farnham said Jersey was in a good place and close to eliminating the virus, but changing strategy and locking down for a longer period could cost the Island millions more pounds and further impact Islanders’ mental and physical health.
‘We are close to eliminating the virus, but changing strategy will cause more harm I think,’ he said.
‘How long do you lock down for, until a vaccine is available? If we locked down for another six months, it could end up costing the Island another £500 million.’
New legislation is being brought forward to target businesses who break lockdown rules when it comes to opening up when they aren’t supposed to.
Senator Farnham revealed before the latest easing that it was becoming apparent that some businesses were breaking rules, and admitted the new legislation, which will soon be revealed, was ‘regrettably’ necessary.
