Christmas performance 'task force' jingles into action

Tuesday 03 November 2020

A special task force has been set up to determine how the island can celebrate Christmas this year.

A team of officers from the Health and Community Services Department is currently exploring ways that the traditional trappings of the season, including concerts, carol singing and nativity plays, might be allowed to take place while remaining safe in light of the current pandemic.

Organisers of Christmas events will be encouraged to get in touch with the task force to check if their performance complies with any updated guidelines, which are currently being drawn up.

The setting up of the task force was announced in the States on Monday by Health Minister Richard Renouf. He said that all politicians would be given the contact details of the unit so they could pass them on to constituents.

However, the Minister added that the Government’s scientific advisers had recently decided not to recommend a relaxation of the current guidelines, which “strongly discourage” singing or playing wind instruments in groups.

Pictured: Health Minister Richard Renouf told the States Assembly that he recognised the therapeutic and social benefits of singing but it resulted in far more droplets escaping from the mouth than normal speech.

Performers were given hope last month when Deputy Renouf told States Members that officers had started a review of the guidance to identify how they might be eased. However, on Monday, he announced that the rules wouldn’t be relaxed.

He said: “Officers updated STAC [the Government’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell] on possible measures to mitigate the risks associated with various activities, including singing and playing wind instruments, which are currently restricted by guidance. 

“Given the local context of the increasing number of positive cases, STAC advised against any relaxation of restrictions related to these activities at this time, but they did encourage further work by officers to review mitigations and options for small outdoor gatherings of musicians and singers for further consideration by STAC.”

The Minister added that this also meant that school children could not sing or play wind instruments in their class bubbles. 

Pictured: Christmas is traditionally a time of school performances but, at the moment, only singing or playing when it is part of the curriculum is allowed.

“At this time the current guidelines only allow for singing or the playing of wind instruments for children and young people in full-time education," he said. "They are allowed in small groups where it is a requirement of the school exam syllabus. Group lessons and practice that do not include singing or wind instruments are allowed for groups up to 40. The guidelines provide for mitigations to reduce risk, including requirements for physical distancing, ventilation, hygiene and care for instruments.”

Deputy Renouf said that it was likely that the recommendations of the Christmas task force would become permanent guidance into 2021, however, it would depend on the prevalence of covid-19 in the island.