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Jersey Heritage has had to postpone the opening of three historic sites for the start of the new season as new social distancing advice means there aren’t enough people to staff them.
La Hougue Bie, Elizabeth Castle and Hamptonne were all due to open tomorrow (Wednesday 18 March), but will instead remain closed.
Meanwhile, a number of sites will operate on winter opening hours.
Jersey Museum will remain open daily, the Maritime Museum will only be open on Sundays, while Mont Orgueil will only be open Friday to Monday.
Pictured: Jersey Museum will remain open daily.
Jersey Archive is open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the third Saturday of each month.
Jersey Heritage CEO Jon Carter explained that the decision came as several trained staff and volunteers had decided to remain at home in light of the government’s recommendation that over-65s practice social-distancing in response to the covid-19 outbreak.
“The consequence of this is that, with only a couple of days to go before the new season starting, we have found ourselves without enough trained staff to open all the sites. This is something we will be addressing over the coming days,” he said.
Pictured: CEO of Jersey Heritage Jon Carter.
The news has also led to the cancellation of the Family History Festival due to go ahead at the Archive this weekend, and a meeting of the Young Archaeologists’ Club.
The next ‘Meet the Collections’ event scheduled for next Wednesday has also been postponed.
Pictured top: La Hougue Bie. (Chris Brookes Aerial Photography)
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