TOUGH Omicron isolation rules branded ‘draconian and arbitrary’ and which some fear could trigger a so-called ‘pingdemic’ as seen in the UK this summer may be scrapped within days.
Many Islanders reacted with anger when the measures – which require those infected with the highly transmissible variant and their direct contacts to isolate for ten days – were announced this week.
Chief Minister John Le Fondré confirmed in the States that there were already 25 known direct contacts of Omicron cases.
Commentators warned that the rules could cause a surge in the number of people in quarantine, similar to the UK ‘pingdemic’ where so many were contact-traced that hundreds of businesses temporarily closed or scaled back operations.
But now Deputy Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham said he hoped the measures for direct contacts would be dropped next week.
And the government has already backed down on one element of the Omicron measures, with positive cases and direct contacts of the variant now allowed outside for two hours of daily exercise – in line with those who contract other variants.
A government spokesperson has confirmed that ministers have asked for the ‘overarching policy on Omicron direct contacts’ to be reviewed by the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell at its next meeting on Monday.
In a letter to the Jersey Hospitality Association, Senator Farnham said: ‘I am hopeful that the temporary requirement for direct contacts of Omicron positive cases to isolate will be removed early next week and I am working with ministers and officials to that end.’
Business leaders and politicians have raised concerns about the potential impact of the new measures, which left Jersey with tighter restrictions for direct contacts of Omicron than were in place in the UK.
Murray Norton, chief executive of the Jersey Chamber of Commerce, said the requirement for direct contacts to isolate would have a significant impact on business and called for it to be reviewed.
Mr Norton added: ‘Recommendations to work from home from 4 January is already impacting several businesses, with many already advising staff to work from home.
‘As this happens, some businesses in St Helier who would provide services to offices are seeing a sudden drop-off of business, while in hospitality we have seen widespread cancelled bookings and events companies have been losing events throughout December with very little support.’
Dominic Jones, director of J P Restaurants, said he was concerned about the ‘extremely draconian and arbitrary’ nature of the requirement for direct contacts of Omicron cases to isolate for ten days and be denied the right to leave home to exercise during this period.
He said: ‘Not only will this cause stress for many, but it will also act as a disincentive for some people to get tested.’
Mr Jones also raised fears of a ‘pingdemic’ as large numbers of people received notification about being direct contacts. With around 10% of positive samples being sent for sequencing at UK labs to determine the presence of the new strain, he said it would be a matter of luck whether people were classed as Omicron cases or not.
Senator Kristina Moore added that the new rules required explanation.
She said: ‘With Christmas fast approaching, Islanders naturally want to avoid being contact-traced or catching Covid. Therefore they are taking matters into their own hands and cancelling bookings, avoiding contact as much as they can. So we have lockdown by stealth with no support for businesses that are being impacted.’
The JEP asked the government a series of questions about how quickly Omicron was likely to become the dominant variant, and the probable impact on Islanders’ Christmases and the ability of businesses to trade, but no answers had been received at the time of going to print.
The government has confirmed that Islanders are able to obtain digital Covid status certificates via their mobile devices. The digital portal was taken down shortly after its launch in October after a security issue was identified. A government spokesperson said no data had been compromised, and that issue had now been resolved.
To access the digital certificate, Islanders must be registered with Yoti on their mobile device and have a OneGov account. Paper certificates are also available, with those who received a booster dose before 8 December being sent certificates by post.
Latest figures showed that 40,130 booster doses had been administered by 12 December, equating to just under half of the total number of first doses.
The Education Department has confirmed that 455 students received a vaccine from a mobile clinic that visited 13 secondary schools during the past three weeks.
Island schools closed for the Christmas holidays yesterday, with parents, teachers and union officials unclear how much the new measures would affect the return to school on Tuesday 4 January.
Marina Mauger, of the NASUWT, said that Children’s and Education Minister Scott Wickenden had indicated the current intention was for schools to return as normal in January.
She said: ‘This will present some very, very difficult challenges for schools – there will be weekly meetings during the holidays and schools will be updating their risk assessments and keeping a close eye on the situation.’
