The fund will provide an opportunity for people and organisations who want to contribute financial support to critical areas of need.
The Bailiff, Timothy Le Cocq, said: ‘Many people are devoting their time and expertise in supporting Jersey’s response to Covid-19. In addition we are aware of a number of private individuals and organisations who want to help and to donate money.
‘For this reason I have set up a Bailiff’s Fund, as we have done often in the past to respond to disasters, to support the Island’s healthcare and community activities at this time.
‘This fund will channel any charitable donations appropriately and my office will work with the Health Department and charitable organisations to ensure that the generous offers that we have received are directed to the areas in need of extra support.’
Meanwhile, Mr Le Cocq has urged Islanders to ‘continue until the job is done’ in the battle against Covid-19.
In a speech broadcast online yesterday afternoon, in which he praised the Island’s medical staff and essential workers, as well as defending the government’s response to the crisis, the Bailiff urged everyone to stick to the stay-at-home guidelines and help the Island come out of the current crisis as quickly as possible.
He said: ‘On Sunday the time became right for us as well, and that step [the lockdown] was taken in line with medical advice. We now need to have these measures in place to prevent our doctors, nurses, paramedics and health workers from being overwhelmed, and we all owe them a debt of gratitude.
‘I have attended emergency council meetings and States briefings and I know how committed everyone is to keeping this virus down to manageable proportions and to saving the lives of Islanders.
‘I know how hard those who serve us are working and how tirelessly they are dealing with an enormously complex, challenging and fast-moving situation. I am confident Jersey is receiving and acting on the best possible advice.
‘Not every country has dealt with the virus in exactly the same way at the same time.
‘That is in part because the response is different depending on the course the virus is taking in any one place. It is not surprising, therefore, that Jersey’s response might be slightly different from other places.
‘It is a tailored response that fits Jersey.’
The Bailiff said no one should be foolish enough to ignore or flout the advice that has been issued to Islanders.
Transfers to the Bailiff’s Covid-19 fund can be made to: HSBC Bank, sort code 40-25-34, account number 91663933, IBAN GB80MIDL40253491663933, account name States of Jersey T/A Jersey Disaster Appeal, reference Bailiff’s Covid-19 Appeal.
