Director Jon Carter told the JEP that their trustees would meet on Tuesday to review plans to open outdoor areas at Mont Orgueil Castle, La Hougue Bie and Hamptonne but licensing issues for the Elizabeth Castle ferries might delay access there.
‘We are looking to open as much as possible as soon as possible, subject to agreement of plans by trustees in the light of our financial situation, which at this stage remains unclear,’ he said.
Mr Carter added that they were working with the authorities to resolve the licensing of the Elizabeth Castle ferries, which had been held up because of the lockdown.
Meanwhile, Jersey Zoo has reopened for members only, who must book online to secure a pre-allocated time slot. In a statement on its website, Durrell said: ‘We have made the decision to limit our visitor numbers so that we can safely manage people and ensure physical distancing.
‘Currently, a maximum number of 500 members are permitted to enter the Zoo each day, with this split into half-hour arrival slots between 9.30am and 4pm, allowing a maximum of 36 people into the Zoo per time slot. Members are only permitted to enter the Zoo at the time slot they have booked.’
In addition to limiting numbers, the Zoo has also introduced a range of safeguards, including the requirement for visitors and staff to wear face masks, the introduction of protective screens at contact points, the provision of hand-sanitiser stations and the use of floor markings to maintain distancing in queues.
Both cafés will offer takeaway options only and the indoor and outdoor children’s play areas will remain closed, as will many indoor animal areas.
The National Trust for Jersey has confirmed that its outdoor sites remain open. Marketing and events manager Donna Le Marrec said that their woodlands, including Hamptonne, Fern Valley and St Peter’s Valley, were being well used by the public.
‘Our rangers have been working hard to maintain the sites, tying open gates to avoid the public from having to open and close them, and maintaining steps and footpaths. The wild orchid fields at Le Noir Pré and La Blinerie opened to the public on Friday 8 May and will be open for a few weeks while the orchids are in bloom,’ Mrs Le Marrec said.
