‘Do not meet people outside your household’ – government clarifies advice

‘Do not meet people outside your household’ – government clarifies advice

Part of the problem related to a text message sent to all phones with a Jersey-registered sim card, which said: ‘We advise against gatherings of more than two people in public places, except where all members are from the same household. Stay home and help save lives.’

In a clarification, the government press office said that Islanders should not be going to meet any people from outside their household.

However, Islanders are still allowed to leave their homes with members of their own household for essential purposes and for a maximum of two hours.

The government also said that people were allowed to drive to their place of exercise if they needed to, as long as they were only outside of their homes for a maximum of two hours.

Earlier this month, officers from honorary police forces in the east of the Island conducted a checkpoint on Longueville Road, stopping over 300 vehicles to
ask drivers why they were travelling.

One of those stopped said they were driving from St Lawrence to Grouville to complete their two hours of exercise – a reason branded ‘poor’ by police.

However, given the earlier stance by the government, this sparked confusion among many.

Now, the government press office has said that Islanders should only be ‘travelling locally’.

A spokesperson added: ‘The intention here is to minimise the length of excursions people make away from their own homes.

‘There is a recognition that depending on where people live, it might be sensible for them to travel to less-crowded areas to undertake exercise where it might be easier to maintain social-distancing.’

According to the new Covid-19 laws, anyone ‘remaining’ in a public place without reasonable excuse – while a lockdown order is in force – is liable to a fine of up to £1,000.

Approved reasons for leaving your home, up to a maximum of two hours everyday:

  • To shop for food, medicine, and other basic necessities, as infrequently as possible.
  • For daily exercise. This can include walking, cycling, running, exercising or caring for animals – provided social distancing from everyone outside your own household is maintained.
  • For any medical needs, including providing care.

When outside your home or garden, you must maintain a safe social distance of two metres from anyone outside your own household.

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