Government ‘refusing to admit a move to elimination strategy’

Government ‘refusing to admit a move to elimination strategy’

Deputy Jess Perchard made the comment following the release by ministers of a document articulating the government strategy, after weeks of calls to do so went unanswered.

The publication of the document this week came on the back of a proposition tabled by the St Saviour politician, in which she said that the Island should change tack and aim for elimination.

The strategy document also gives new information about the impacts and consequences of the virus and details about what happens next.

It sets a target for moving to the next level of the lockdown, when overseas travel could be allowed, rules around the opening of pubs could be relaxed and plans for the resumption of non-Covid-related healthcare.

Deputy Perchard lost the vote on her proposition in the Assembly, with Members voting instead in favour of a compromise to adapt a contain, delay and shield approach to keep the virus at low levels.

The strategy was articulated in yesterday’s government announcement as ‘suppress, delay, shield’, something the Deputy believes resembles an elimination strategy without being called that.

She welcomed the publication of the report, but believes it still leaves confusing questions unanswered.

‘They still say low numbers and have been asked this week in the States what low numbers are,’ she said. ‘By now changing the strategy and saying suppress indicates elimination, which means to get to no cases.

‘I wish they would come out and say that. We know originally they said herd immunity and that has now changed and now we see the word suppress.

‘Ministers I think have been reluctant to give a clear answer because they don’t want to be accused of changing their direction, but this is a pandemic where things have changed.

‘I don’t think the government has stumbled on a policy that works, but I think they should admit that they have changed their strategy.’

Meanwhile, the strategy document reveals that pubs and bars could be open with restrictions and people may be able to meet in groups of up to 25 in early July if the government sticks to its level-one exit-strategy target.

The document details key information around decision-making and what the next steps will be in Jersey’s movement back to normal life.

Level two, which will see most businesses reopen, is due to come into effect on 12 June, and the target is to move to level one by early July.

Sports events could resume without spectators, and small gatherings of up to ten would be allowed in private homes.

Travel out of the Island would be permitted, subject to he requirement for some to self-isolate on their return, depending on where they have travelled from.

All hospitality venues, including pubs, would be able to open until 10pm as long as they could offer physically-distanced seating.

Elsewhere in the document are plans to resume health and care services as much as possible, following the cancellation of a number of routine appointments owing to the outbreak.

The report states: ‘It is crucial to begin to re-open health and care services that were suspended during lockdown so that Islanders’ non-Covid-19 health needs can be better addressed.

‘Between March and May 2020, many hospital-planned care services were reduced or deferred owing to the anticipated impact of an exponential increase in Covid-19 cases on staffing, and to release both flexibility and capacity into the system to deal with a potentially unprecedented level of acutely unwell patients.

‘The health and care system has prepared plans to recommence more routine but essential health and care delivery whilst ensuring the department is well prepared for any future COVID-19 pressures.’

It also outlines employment figures showing that, to date, 2,520 businesses, covering 12,420 employees, have claimed funding under phase two of the co-funding payroll scheme.

Other figures show GPs are handling one third fewer consultations every day, currently around 800, than they were before the pandemic.

And States police are recording an increase of 14% in domestic incidents and a 37% increase in concerns for welfare. Psychological wellbeing has also been affected.

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