A new approach was discussed by clinical and public health experts on Monday (18 May) and shared at a government briefing which also saw the clearest indication yet that pupils would return to school soon after next week’s half-term break.
Taking questions for the first time since recovering from hip surgery, Medical Officer of Health Dr Susan Turnbull said that the idea was to bring in a ‘reasonable and feasible’ policy that would enable travel links to reopen.
Dr Turnbull said that those who did not wish to self-isolate for 14 days could be offered a test at the Airport and would only have to stay in quarantine for 24 hours until the result was available. Those given the all-clear would be able to go out, with a follow-up test on the fourth day after their arrival to make sure they remained free of the virus.
‘Alternatively, it’s possible that those intending to travel to Jersey may
undergo tests before starting their journeys,’ she added. ‘This would have the advantage that there would be no risk of the virus being passed on to fellow passengers.’
Ministers will now consider the proposals discussed at yesterday’s meeting of
the Island’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee, of which Dr Turnbull is a member.
The potential harms that could be caused through an extended lockdown were re-emphasised by Chief Minister John Le Fondré as he prepared for today’s States Assembly sitting, when Deputy Jess Perchard’s proposition for the adoption of an elimination strategy is due to be debated.
Senator Le Fondré, who has lodged an amendment to the backbencher’s
proposition, said that in certain respects he was ‘not a million miles apart’ from Deputy Perchard, but that he was concerned at the belief that a short period of intense lockdown would be in the best interest of Islanders.
Dr Turnbull also said that the conclusion of the STAC meeting was that schools should soon be able to reopen, having been closed to the vast majority of pupils since the spring term came to a premature end on 20 March.
‘Without pre-empting the decision of ministers, it was felt that overall it would be in children’s best interests to be back at school for many different reasons,’ she said, adding that there would be significant benefits to ending the period of disruption to children’s education, and to bringing back routine and structure to their lives.
‘We would have to keep an eye on any risk to the wider community, but there is a low risk of children suffering significant illness and little evidence that they are more infectious,’ she said.
Swab testing that shows whether someone currently has coronavirus has
been increased in the past week, with 535 tests having been completed in the
past seven days, although this remains below the levels hoped for by ministers who have spoken of their intention to test around 500 people per day, starting imminently with thousands of essential workers.
The number of positive cases has risen to 302, a rise of six in the past three
days, but Dr Turnbull said this was not a matter for concern, with increased
testing likely to lead to an increase in positive results.
