The Guernsey Private Residential Landlords Association (GPLRA) said it "hopes" payment deferral agreements can be made between private landlords and tenants in financial difficulty.

The island's government announced on Wednesday they would defer Tax On Real Property (TRP) payments until June and consider deferring rent payments to struggling businesses who rent States property.

Chairman of GPLRA Jeff Guilbert said they were unable to instruct their members to do the same as they were "independent people" with their own "financial constraints" in terms of mortgage loans.

Mr Guilbert said: "It's very fine for the government to say 'we won't charge our tenants', but they are backed by the taxpayers.

"We would hope if a tenant finds themselves in difficulties an arrangement or payment scheme could be organised to ease their situation."

A variety of sporting events in Guernsey have been postponed or cancelled:

• Guernsey FC's games are postponed until 3 April as a result of the suspension of the Isthmian League, external
• Guernsey Raiders games are suspended until 14 April as a result of the RFU's decision on Monday
• Saturday's Muratti semi-final between Guernsey and Alderney has been postponed

The Torteval 75th anniversary of the Liberation on 16 May has been postponed, but a new date has yet to be set.

Sue Aldwell from the parish said they were "extremely sad" after a year of preparation, but when it did go ahead it would be a "bloney good party".

Plans to respond to development in the spread of coronavirus in Guernsey, external have been announced by the Committee for Health and Social Care (HSC).

The committee said currently "normal service" is being provided "where possible", but it was determined to "remain proactive in response to this global crisis".

Measure to be put in place include the suspension of elective surgery for a week from Monday.

HSC said was to to train a staff to "increase resilience in the provision of critical care".

"A further decision will be made after this week in terms of scheduling future electives," HSC added.

They also announced changes to food provision at the Gloucester Room Restaurant at the hospital.

Food will primarily be for takeaway and tables will be provided only for people who have "no option" but to eat there.

The food service for hospital in-patients will be unaffected, HSC added.

The committee has asked visitors to in-patients at the hospital be limited to one person at a time and people use phone or video call technology "wherever possible".

Anyone displaying "flu-like symptoms" is asked self-isolate and stay away from visiting the hospital or any attend healthcare appointments.

The committee also revealed future escalation plans which could be put in place:

• The reconfiguration of hospital wards to manage coronavirus patients separately
• The movement of non-frontline medical to "support front line services", which could also include recently retired healthcare professionals and additional agency staff

The NHS says that washing your hands is a key part of preventing the spread of viruses such as the coronavirus.

Dr Adele McCormick, from the University of Westminster, demonstrates how to do this properly - which should take about 20 seconds.

The States has published a list of exemptions to enable "critical" workers to travel to the Bailiwick.

Guernsey's ban on "non-essential travel" began on Thursday, which requires anyone entering the island to self-isolate for two weeks.

People involved in any critical work will be exempt from the 14 day mandatory self isolation period unless they exhibit new or recent symptoms associated with coronavirus.

These symptoms are respiratory or flu-like symptoms, including a persistent cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches or headaches.

Business will be required to apply to the Population Management Office or directly to the government officials in charge of defining what constitutes a critical worker, external.

The exemptions for "critical" workers include:

• People directly involved in maintaining and protecting air and sea links
• Those directly involved in maintaining and protecting "critical national infrastructure"
• Emergency service workers
• Those involved in delivering "good administration of justice"
• Education professionals delivering "critical activity" in schools
• People ensuring " business continuity" or "business recovery"
• People maintaining "financial stability and resilience"
• Anyone "involved in ensuring the safety and stability" of Alderney

The States said: "Such travel is necessary to support and protect the Islands’ connectivity, critical national infrastructure, the safety and security of the Bailiwick, and essential public services including education and medical provisions."

Some of your key questions about coronavirus answered by the BBC's experts over one day.

Emergency measures designed to support Guernsey businesses have been announced by the Policy and Resources Committee (P&R).

President of P&R Gavin St Pier told the States , externalthe "initial" measures were designed to help companies to "keep operating" and support them with costs.

The measures, which will all apply until the end of June, are:

• Businesses can defer the payment of employer's social insurance contributions
• The collection of tax on real property (TRP) will be deferred over the same period
• The government will consider deferring rent payments to local businesses who rent States-owed property
• Mooring fees for commercial fishermen will be waived
• The States will attempt to make payment "swiftly" to local businesses to whom it owes money, including not wait for standard credit terms
• The States will make "every effort" to treat islanders who owe them money "sensitively and supportively"

Deputy St Pier said he "hoped" private businesses and landlords would follow the governments lead in deferring TRP and considering delay to rent payments.

The committee also announced an initial £5m "hardship fund" to support people "facing significant hardship" who are not entitled to States' benefits.

The fund will be administered alongside social security and the full detail will be released next week, Mr St Pier said.

"It is absolutely vital that our government recognises the very real need to provide appropriate financial support at this time - and the very real impacts already being felt in certain sectors," he added.

Events marking the 75th anniversary of the Channel Islands' liberation have been cancelled due to the coronavirus.

The States of Jersey have published a list of events , externalthat will no longer be taking place this year, including the ceremony in Liberation Square.

In Guernsey, the States is yet to announce which plans will go ahead, but said it would be "radically re-shaping" the Liberation schedule.

Celebrations across the two islands were planned to take place on 9 May.

A planned visit from The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to the islands is one of the events to be cancelled in response to the outbreak.

A helpline is available for anyone in Guernsey with medical questions about the coronavirus.

Those concerned can call 01481 756938 or 01481 756969 between 08:00 and 22:00 daily.

The States of Guernsey is advising that all travellers arriving from anywhere in the world should self-isolate for 14 days.

Further information can be found on the States of Guernsey website., external

How do I self-isolate?

Restrictions on "non-essential travel" into or out the Bailiwick of Guernsey came into force on Thursday.

Travellers coming into the island will be obliged to self-solate for two weeks, with the exemption of "critical" workers.

Travel between Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm will not be affected.

The restrictions include all forms of travel, including private and chartered vessels.