People who are vital to keeping the island running may be able enter the island.

Rebecca Thorn
BBC News Online

The Health Improvement Commission is offering tips and resources to keep families healthy and active during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Commission is recommending two 20-30 minute sessions a day to keep up your physical and mental wellbeing.

A list of resources for adults and children can be found here., external

Current guidance, external from the States of Guernsey says it is safe to go out for exercise alone while social distancing.

People considered "at risk" of serious medical complications have been asked to self-isolate for a "prolonged period" by Public Health.

Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink said they issued "shielding" advice in order to protect the "health and wellbeing" of vulnerable people.

Dr Brink said the full guidance would be released later and their policy was aiming to "balancing" their response to "stay ahead of the curve".

"We're continually looking at what we can do to protect our communities.

"Not only with the identification of cases, the contact tracing. But also looking at what other policies we can do proactively," she added.

Two guinea pigs were dumped at the GSPCA on Friday.

The pair - a male and female, who is thought to be pregnant - were left at the animal shelter's reception.

Image source, GSPCA

Steve Byrne, GSPCA manager, said: "We ask anyone in need of help with their animals to call us to explore options especially during these difficult times on 01481 257261 or email admin@gspca.org.gg, external."

He said it is rare for animals to be dumped in Guernsey.

Mr Byrne said: "We like many are trying to reduce visitors to the GSPCA to help with social distancing.

"It is also extremely important for all animal owners to have provisions for their pets and animals and it is even more important that owners speak to friends and family to ensure they can assist if needed."

Like many other charities and businesses the GSPCA is reporting a drop in income from donations and its boarding service.

Image source, GSPCA

The measures include:

• Mobile and landline calls to the States of Guernsey’s COVID-19 advice lines (01481 756938 and 01481 756969) have been made free of charge
• Free upgrade to Sure’s standard broadband service for customers currently using the basic broadband service. This will double customer speed from an average of 16 Mbps to 34 Mbps until 30 June. Customers need to check availability and apply online, external
• Customers who use a Piper Lifeline service or who are on the Telephone Assistance Scheme (TAS) will have free local landline calls 24 hours a day from 10 April until 30 June
• Any islanders who are unable to return from overseas due to the outbreak will be supported with free roaming boosters and discounted roaming rates to ensure they can stay in contact with family and friends here. Those customers should get in touch with Sure
• No changes to free local landline calls to other local landlines every weekday from 18:00-20:00 and from 18:00 on Fridays to 08:00 on Mondays

Details can be found on the company's website, external.

Nurses in Guernsey will receive a pay rise, the States of Guernsey has announced.

Last week, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) confirmed it would not call nurses to strike , externalduring the coronavirus pandemic, but said the lack of progress in pay negotiations was "a complete kick in the teeth".

"The States should make no mistake, once the threat from COVID-19 has passed, our members will walk out", RCN's regional director Patricia Marquis said.

Nurses and other healthcare professionals in the Agenda for Change pay group will receive a 5% pay increase, backdated from January 2019. They will receive a further 5% increase from September 2019.

The Policy & Resources Committee announced all pay negotiations for 2020 would be paused, "given the exceptional and unprecedented circumstances" caused by the coronavirus.

Two further pay groups including JESCC (Joint Emergency Services Control Centre), and teachers and lecturers, who have outstanding negotiations from 2019, will be awarded their latest offers, the States confirmed.

The original UK testing laboratory Guernsey used has become "overwhelmed".

The new owner of Sark Electricity says steps are being taken to secure supplies during the coronavirus outbreak.

Alan Jackson says maintaining cash flow is a priority and cash reserves have been doubled, but he urged islanders who could to pay their bills to support the community.

Although customers are being asked to avoid coming into the office.

He said the firm is looking to increase its "available on island storage capacity in the unlikely event that supplies are affected".

Mr Jackson said he is concerned about the four diesel engines, which are all due for a complete overhaul, but travel restrictions may make this impossible.

He said: "My original intent had been to arrange an immediate and significant overhaul of our equipment.

"This would ordinarily involve an outside engineer for a job of this complexity. However, given the current travel bans this is not possible."

Mr Jackson said he has approached the wider Bailiwick community in a bid to identify local expertise and urged anyone who may be able to help to get in touch.

The Guernsey GP surgery in the High Street, St Peter Port has been closed without further notice.

This is "due to difficulties ensuring social distancing in a small waiting area".

The GPs will be working from the other surgeries in the Healthcare Group Guernsey - Cobo, Rohais and St Martins - and patients can book appointments there.

Any patients needing to collect prescriptions or anything else they were due to pick up can collect from Rohais Health Centre or if they are unable to do so can call 723322 to make alternative arrangements.

The Island Medical Centre announced last week it would be no longer opening on Saturdays in order to give GPs and staff even time to rest.

However, some shifts have been reworked and the surgery will be open on Saturday mornings.

The centre has also warned patients that calls may take longer than normal to answer as they are receiving "more telephone calls than ever before".

The States has moved to reassure islanders that essential goods are making into the island.

It followed reports of panic buying on Saturday.

A spokesman repeated calls for people to only buy what they need to help the wider community.

The Director of Public Health said they were "expecting" the rise in cases that emerged over the weekend.

The 18 new positive tests brought the total positive cases on the island to 20.

Dr Nicola Brink said they were managing cases as soon as they received results.

She outlined the the process Public Health went through over the weekend:

• Detection of a case
• Immediate quarantine
• Contact tracing - where the authorities find people at risk of contracting the virus from a particular person

"We went through every single case and identified their contacts," she said.

Dr Brink added most of the current 60 outstanding tests were from over the weekend.

"So we really are getting on top of the testing situation, which is hugely encouraging."

The ban on visitors will be put in place from Tuesday, the States announces.

HSC also outlined measures it was putting in place to increase "resilience" of the hospital and critical care, including:

• Changes to ward layout at the PEH to create a "hot" critical care area
• Beginning the process of appointing extra temporary agency nurses
• Dedicated team to ensure the supply of personal protective equipment for healthcare staff

The Committee for Health and Social Care (HSC) has announced the suspension of all "non-urgent" outpatient appointments.

The decision, which was taken alongside the Medical Specialist Group, includes appointments at the PEH, Alexandra House and Mill House.

HSC said some appointments would be conducted by telephone where "feasible" and all patients will be contacted about the decision.

Alderney's hospital will be joining with Guernsey's in closing to visitors from Tuesday.

Exceptions will be made for people in end of life care.

Visitors will no longer be allowed into Guernsey's Princess Elizabeth Hospital from Tuesday, the States has announced.

The Committee for Health and Social Care (HSC) said the decision was made with "regret" after requests to limit visitor numbers were not effective.

Exceptions will be made for people in end of life care, as well as occupants of the maternity and children's wards.

Visits can be arranged by contacting ward managers, HSC added.

Guernsey's St James is postponing or cancelling all events scheduled to take place before September.

A spokesman said: "After such an amazing 2019, this is a real blow, but with the situation only worsening, we need to accept mass gatherings are not going to be a good idea for quite a while.

"We are rescheduling some events for later in the year, and tickets for those will remain valid.

"For the events we must cancel, we would like to offer an incentive not to request a refund.

"If you hold onto your ticket for St James events, we will offer you double its face value against any future event.

"You can still request a refund at any time, but if you hold on, you will be rewarded."

The box office will remain open on 711361 between 09:00 and 2pm.

During the closure redecoration and some internal changes will be carried out.