Senator Steve Pallett says the Government of Jersey’s policy to limit attendances to 40 people, including participants, is a result of medical guidance, despite the decision by the Football Association and the UK Government to allow spectators to attend non-league football matches in various groups of six. This means, for example, that Jersey Bulls can play in front of fans at away matches but, as it currently stands, cannot play any home matches due to the dual restriction of being unable to host an event that will attract international visitors.
However, Pallett feels that this should not prevent people turning up to watch sporting events and matches in more open spaces.
‘I can understand the frustrations because we all expected, under Level 1, for it to be much less restrictive and to have some of these teams from the UK to come over and play in front of spectators,’ he said. ‘But we are some way away from that point.
‘There’s been discussions between Jersey Sport and the medical officers of Health [Dr Susan Turnbull and Dr Ivan Muscat] around how clubs like Jersey Bulls and Jersey Reds could manage spectators in current restrictions, whether it is multiple groups of 40 or larger groups. We’ve got to look at Islanders’ well-being above anything else and we’ve got to take the medical advice, although we have questioned it. We have asked if there are ways we can mitigate spectators being there but the medical officer of Health at the moment sees that as too much of a risk.
‘We cannot gather in any more numbers than 40 and it is unfortunate that sport comes under that, but we have to respect it.’
That said, Pallett admitted that there is little stopping grassroots football fans from attending upcoming games on rural pitches.
‘I’ve not had too many complaints from sport locally,’ he said. ‘Obviously those who are most affected are the clubs who play nationally because, financially, it makes it very difficult for them to stay viable. But for local sports clubs, I don’t think it’s likely to be policed if people go along and watch their local club play, as long as you are separating around the ground and you are keeping to your social distancing. I don’t think that is going to be too much of a problem. But if you’re looking at Springfield, for example, for a game between, say, St Peter and St Ouen, then clearly that’s not going to be allowed at the current time under the current rules.’
Full story in Thursday’s JEP.
