COVID is no longer being treated as a public-health emergency, the government has said as it released its final plans for the de-escalation of restrictive measures.
In a report released this morning, ministers have set out plans for how the Island intends to live with and manage the virus over the next few months.
By 31 March, mandatory isolation requirements for positive cases will be lifted and replaced with guidance focussed on self-assessment of symptoms and lateral-flow testing. Lateral-flow tests will continue to be made available until at least June.
Free PCR testing will also continue to be provided for symptomatic Islanders and those who have a positive LFT until at least June.
The Post-Emergency Strategy also states that vulnerable Islanders will be offered vaccination and testing as well as new antiviral treatments. Beginning this week, vulnerable Islanders will start to receive letters from the Health Department about new antiviral treatments that they may be eligible for should they contract Covid-19. A doctor will confirm eligibility based on a list of criteria.
Despite the downgrading of the Covid-19 crisis from emergency status, Islanders are being urged to remain vigilant and are being warned that this does not mean the pandemic is over.
Health Minister Richard Renouf said: ‘Over the past two years, the government and Competent Authority Ministers have responded quickly to an unprecedented and continually evolving virus which posed a threat to our way of life, the health of Islanders, and the continuity of businesses and critical services.
‘The strong position the Island is now in is due to the high uptake of vaccination, and the reduced risk posed by the current dominant variant, Omicron. Therefore, I am pleased to be publishing the Covid-19 Post-Emergency Strategy today as we continue to de-escalate measures in the Island and focus on recovery and future wellbeing.
‘There are a number Covid-19 recovery projects designed to tackle the harms caused by the pandemic.
‘This will be the government’s focus this year and in future years. As we exit the emergency phase, it is important that Islanders continue to follow guidance and precautions. I must remind Islanders that it is not the end of the pandemic.
‘We know from the past that the virus evolves, and the strategy is here to ensure we can quickly and proportionately respond if needed.
‘Vaccination remains at the heart of our approach in living with Covid-19. By getting vaccinated, we will stand strong against Covid-19 and learn to live with it the best way we can.’
