Chief Minister John Le Fondré and Health Minister Richard Renouf released a four-page document in answer to the Scrutiny Liaison Committee, which had accused the ministers of mismanaging the pandemic.
In the letter, sent to Senator Kristina Moore (pictured right), who chairs the committee, Senator Le Fondré and Deputy Renouf spell out the series of 20 measures taken between the start of December and Christmas Eve to combat the Island’s rising infection rates through a ‘rapid escalation’ approach.
‘We believe the government, the public service, the Assembly, and of course the community, has responded admirably to this crisis,’ the ministers state.
‘Indeed, since your letter [on 22 December], and appreciating that there is a lag between any measure being implemented and its impact on the virus, daily positive results and active cases have fallen.
‘You will recall that we were very clear on several occasions that such a lag did exist, and indeed 22 December saw the first decline of the numbers which has continued thus far. This was in line with our expectations.
‘We would also note that up until 26 November our numbers were starting to drop, and it was within seven days of the next increase that we announced the hospitality circuit breaker and other measures.’
The number of known active cases dropped below 300 on Friday. There are currently 295 known active cases, while there have been 57 Covid-19-registered deaths in total since the start of the pandemic.
The letter from the Scrutiny Liaison Committee outlined a series of areas where members of the panel felt the government could have done better.
There was criticism for continuing poor communication with the public and frontline staff, including issuing unclear advice about the banning of household mixing over the festive period, except on Christmas and Boxing Day.
The Scrutiny Liaison Committee comprises the chairs of States Scrutiny Panels and as well as Senator Moore, includes Constable Mike Jackson and Deputies Mary Le Hegarat, Inna Gardiner and Rob Ward.
The ministers state that the revised Christmas guidance was a reflection of latest scientific advice, and that the outcome had matched a demand from Islanders in a Channel 103 survey calling for tougher guidance.
Minutes from the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell would continue to be made available to Scrutiny hearings, Senator Moore has been assured.
However, the ministers made no mention about the delay in publishing STAC minutes on the government website, with a current lag of more than four months stretching back to 7 September in spite of an Assembly vote making their publication compulsory.
Jersey’s winter strategy, outlined on 2 November, is referenced by the ministers in their letter.
All of the eight main elements of the strategy, including increased testing, mask policies, updated risk classifications for arriving passengers, vaccinations for flu and Covid-19 and cross-government preparations to support Islanders, had been implemented, the ministers say.
The Chief Minister and Health Minister conclude by stating that they would continue to act swiftly and decisively.
‘Whilst the recent trend is downwards and gives some cause for optimism, we remain vigilant and cautious,’ the message says.
‘During this challenging winter phase, we must all work together constructively to help steer our community through to the successful completion of the vaccination roll-out. We cannot be complacent.’
The tone of the letter was more moderate than the response from the same ministers at a press conference on 23 December, the day after Senator Moore sent her message, when Deputy Renouf said he was upset about the ‘unnecessary’ letter, saying that ‘the Scrutiny role is being used to make purely personal political gain and that is a risk to the Island’.
