Covid cluster cancels retail reopening

Tuesday 26 January 2021

The reopening of non-essential retail will no longer be going ahead tomorrow after a covid cluster arising from "poor behaviour" was discovered in the sector, including staff working without PPE and while symptomatic.

The Government has now decided to push back the opening, which also included indoor recreation venues like museums and galleries, by at least one week.

The company that was non-compliant has not been named, and the number of cases associated with its activities remains unclear. Express has asked the Government for comments on both matters and is awaiting a reply.

Public Health guidance is there to prevent clusters forming and to protect our most high risk.

We need your cooperation:

keep 2m distance
wear a mask & wash your hands
don't go into other people’s houses

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) January 26, 2021

“The cluster has appeared in the supply chain for the retail sector and seems to have spread through staff working in transport and deliveries. This means it could affect multiple sites including non-essential retail outlets. Public health and medical colleagues will spend the next few days testing and tracing all possible contacts," the Health Minister explained in a statement.

"This cluster is a result of poor behaviour and a lack of adherence to the most basic of hygiene guidelines, with some staff working while symptomatic. They were found not to be wearing PPE, and now we must trace around 200 possible direct contacts.

"It is exactly this sort of behaviour that will prevent us from reconnecting our island community."

Pictured: The Health Minister said the cases were the result of "poor behaviour and a lack of adherence to the most basic of hygiene guidelines". Some staff were working while symptomatic.

He continued: "Officials, including the Chair of STAC, worked late into the night and presented options to Ministers this morning. We have decided to delay the reopening of all non-essential retail and indoor recreation venues for a minimum of 7 days. Close contact services will then open a week later.  

"We will throw the net wide to make sure we are picking up all contacts, and by the end of the week we will have performed all tests necessary to establish our next steps. We have already contact traced many of the potential contacts and will do more as each hour goes by.

"That is our system's strength and I thank teams from the helpline, contact tracing and laboratory for working so hard to keep it going. They have mobilised quickly and by Friday we should know exactly where we stand. I will make a further public announcement when we have received and analysed that information.

"Deep cleaning takes place regularly in essential stores and mask-wearing and good hygiene means that there is no heightened risk to the public from this cluster."

The Health Minister also went on to emphasise that the island "will not be locking down" in response to the cluster.

Pictured: Deputy Renouf maintained the island will not be going into lockdown.

"Our strategy is to control covid-19 cases and keep figures low enough to maintain our general freedoms, while not placing a strain on our healthcare services. 

"We can only maintain these freedoms with your cooperation and close observation of Public Health guidelines. It is clear this is not always happening. You must not go into other people’s houses, you must maintain physical distancing, and you must wear masks where appropriate.

"Covid-19 is an awful disease. It has taken Islanders from us who should not have died at this time. It must be taken seriously by everyone. But it is also just one of many challenges we face. We are balancing its harm against many other harms. And while I know people are anxious about covid-19 cases, as Health and Social Services Minister I care deeply about all the other health harms that a lockdown would bring, many of which would disproportionately affect Islanders on lower incomes.

"Our vaccination programme is continuing at pace and is our pathway to greater freedoms. But we must protect it. As such, today's announcement is regrettable but unavoidable."

Jersey Heritage has since confirmed that its visitor attractions will no longer be opening as planned in response to the news.

A spokesperson said: "Due to the Government’s announcement today that changes to official restrictions to allow indoor visitor attractions to open to the public are being postponed, indoor Jersey Heritage visitor sites - including Jersey Museum and Art Gallery, and Jersey Archive - will no longer be reopening from tomorrow, as planned."

For more information about the opening of outside areas at sites, such as Mont Orgueil and La Hougue Bie, islanders can click here.

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