JERSEY stands “much better prepared” should it face another pandemic, according to the Public Health director – reflecting on the Island’s Covid response five years since it went into lockdown.
Professor Peter Bradley said the authorities were “much more aware” of what would need to be done if similar circumstances struck.
Prof Bradley was reflecting on the pandemic response and lessons learned.
Covid first reached Jersey’s shores in 2020, with then-Chief Minister John Le Fondré announcing a lockdown on 29 March that year which came into effect on 30 March.
Five years later, Prof Bradley described the Island as “much better prepared” should it face another pandemic.
“We have seen many types of emergencies over the last couple of years in Jersey, including major incidents that don’t have anything to do with infectious disease, but obviously there are concerns that there could be a pandemic in the future,” he said.
“What I would say is that we are now much more aware of what we need to do in that circumstance,” he continued, noting that training exercises were also held as “a precautionary measure”.
“We are much better prepared and the international community is very aware that we need to support each other, but locally as well, not only within public health – but also people who deal with emergencies more generally – are much better equipped to deal with any future event.
“We are very lucky to have the position that we have in Jersey at the moment.”
