Illegal parties ‘putting Island at risk from Covid’

Illegal parties ‘putting Island at risk from Covid’

The police recently responded to illegal parties on the west coast of the Island, including a bunker party at La Pulente and an ‘organised party’ near the Watersplash in St Peter over the bank holiday weekend. The force has reminded Islanders that the current restrictions on gatherings are in place to protect the public and the community, and asked Islanders to ‘consider this before planning any future events’.

Medical officer of health Dr Susan Turnbull (pictured left) has warned that Jersey’s fight against the virus is not over yet. She said: ‘Large gatherings, in small spaces, close together, is a recipe for Covid to spread. These situations tick every box of risk which our public-health restrictions have been set to mitigate and minimise.

‘Regardless of age or current health status, we urge all Islanders to comply with the measures in place, which are there to protect them and others.

‘We remain in a pandemic. It has not passed us, and we need to remain vigilant and respectful of the current restrictions,’ she said. ‘It’s disappointing to know there are people who are wilfully ignoring measures which ultimately could impact their friends and family and maybe set back all the progress we’ve made so far in keeping Covid-19 under good control.’

Following reports of the parties being held in the Island’s German fortifications, Matthew Costard – publications editor for the Channel Islands Occupation Society – has said such gatherings present a ‘huge health and safety risk’ for those participating.

‘Bunkers are not a good place to hold parties,’ said Mr Costard. ‘They are inherently dangerous. There could be drops, rusty metal – they are not safe places to hold a party. From a ventilation perspective they are also very dangerous, especially if someone was to bring a generator. It’s just a huge health and safety risk.

‘Not to mention you also have the risk of Covid-19.’

Mr Costard added that bunker parties had existed for decades, and while it was ‘not an appropriate activity’ it was hard to police, given the abundance of potential sites.

‘There are a few hotspots, such as La Pulente and Portelet Common, but it is not our responsibility or Jersey Heritage’s responsibility to police these parties. We are happy to help but in my opinion there should be a degree of parental responsibility – these are historical structures and they should be respected.’

Similar problems are being experienced in the UK, with reports of illegal raves being shut down across the country. They have led to coronavirus spikes in certain regions.

JP Anquetil, owner of Rojo nightclub, said: ‘It’s similar to the prohibition, where you had people starting to make alcohol illegally. As soon as you prevent people from doing something, they turn to something else.

‘It might be time for a rethink. The government probably didn’t anticipate these parties, so it might be time to re-evaluate and maybe have a trial period of opening nightclubs.’

The owner of Vittoria in Liberty Wharf, Martin Sayers, said: ‘It beggars belief. It’s so irresponsible what these people are doing. It is something that should be discouraged.’

When asked if the restrictions on nightclubs could be causing people to participate in bunker parties, Mr Sayers said: ‘Every action has a reaction. The problem has popped up somewhere else.’

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