The mail plane will now arrive at about 12:30 BST and parcels will be delivered the following day, Guernsey Post has announced.

The change is to accommodate the new opening times, external of Guernsey Airport between 08:30 and 18:30 BST.

Guernsey Post said it was prioritising parcels over letters to help "manage staffing arrangements" in a "safe and effective way".

Letters will now be delivered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The company also announced it was postponing the increase in its annual public tariff increase, due to take effect on 1 April, until 1 July.

Banks in the Crown Dependencies have outlined their priorities and changes to their practices during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a joint statement, the major banks across the islands said their priority was to help "customers who are experiencing difficulties" as well as to protect staff and the public.

The banks said this means the majority of staff working from home "with only essential colleagues in our branches and offices".

They reminded customers to keep checking their bank's website for updated guidance and information, including about mortgage payment holidays and help with credit lines.

They said: "In order that we can prioritise helping those in real need we ask that you now undertake all your normal banking activity using our online and mobile services.

"We are also working hard with each of our island governments to make sure the support they have announced for both business and individuals is made available as soon as possible."

The States of Alderney haspublished a newsletter to keep people informed , externalabout what is happening on the island as a result of Covid-19 and what they can do.

The publication contains guidance for businesses, definitions of what constitutes an essential worker, and instructions for social distancing and self-isolation for individuals.

The newsletter also highlights the work of volunteers in Alderney, noting an "unbelievably massive response" to an appeal for help to "keep the Island's essential services running".

More than 150 people have signed up to work as delivery drivers, cooks, cleaners and other key roles.

The initiative was set up by Alderney President William Tate and his wife Gabrielle.

Mrs Tate said: “The island has mobilised in the best way possible – in a way that is familiar to lots of us – giving our time and skills purely because we are a community that cares and comes together in times of crisis."

Image source, States of Guernsey

Up to 600 full-face visors, a key piece of personal protective equipment for frontline healthcare workers, could be produced in Guernsey as part of a community-led project.

The first 100 visors, designed to the specification needed by staff in ICU at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, have been delivered and more are on the way, the States has announced.

The visors will be predominately used by emergency care staff but can also be used across healthcare, including in a community setting where a procedure requiring the protection is necessary, said the Committee for Health and Social Care (HSC).

The community group are now calling on anyone with access to a 3D printer to help to produce as many as possible, as they can be used to make the headband part of the mask.

The initiative have set up a Facebook page, Guernsey Community 3D Print, external, so that anyone who can help can find out how.

They can also get in touch via email at atec@cwgsy.net, external.

Image source, States of Guernsey

The same community group, which includes business leaders from across the island, has also arranged the importation of four room purifiers to be used in the new "hot ICU", where coronavirus patients with severe symptoms will be treated.

These room purifiers will provide increased protection for staffing working in this area by reducing Covid-19 droplets from the air.

Nick Vermeulen, a spokesman for the group, said they all wanted to help in whatever way they can and were conscious "sourcing these essentials" is very difficult because of global shortages.

Mr Vermeulen said: "Producing the face visors for the team at the Intensive Care Unit has been a real team effort between the medical professionals, colleagues across the States of Guernsey and the wider community."

Patients who go to Guernsey's emergency department with symptoms associated with coronavirus will not be charged, the States have announced.

The Committee for Health and Social Care (HSC) confirmed they will not have to pay either attendance or treatment fees.

However, anyone who claims to have Covid-19 symptoms as a route to receiving other care will be charged.

HSC asked islanders to be honest about their symptoms so "resources can be allocated efficiently" and "patient and staff safety is maintained".

The changes introduced at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, where a single nurse will assess and triage patients into dedicated treatment areas are now in place, the committee said.

They also reminded people that previous advice still stands.

Anyone with coronavirus symptoms who requires emergency treatment must call ahead, so hospital staff are ready to receive and deliver care to them.

Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder, Guernsey's Lieutenant Governor has paid tribute to the "discipline and stoicism" of islanders in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

Sir Ian acknowledged the severe disruption to "economic, social, and spiritual activities" in Guernsey caused by the lockdown.

He said the "unprecedented but essential" restrictions on everyday life had bought "valuable time" and "make a real difference".

"I am confident that, in the final reckoning, they will be found to have significantly reduced the risk, especially to the most vulnerable in our community.

"These restrictions have, and will continue to save lives!"

Guernsey's Lieutenant-Governor described the first coronavirus death as a "sobering moment" and expressed his "heartfelt sympathies" to the patient's family and friends.

Image source, States of Guernsey

Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder said: "Secretly, I suspect, some might still have hoped that it would not come and that, somehow, the worst of this global pandemic might pass our islands by.

"But in our hearts most of us knew this would not be the case.

"Sadly that is confirmed today and, whilst we must always hope, the reality is that this death is unlikely to be the last.

"The next few weeks are going to be difficult for all of us."

Read the full statement here, external.

Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder, Guernsey's Lieutenant Governor has shared a message with islanders after the first coronavirus-related death in the Bailiwick.

He said: "It remains vital that we continue to put our responsibilities to others before personal comfort and convenience.

"The next few months are going to test our ‘Island Spirit‘ to the limit.

"But through this difficult time I do urge each and every one of you to keep faith."

Read the full statement here, external or watch it on youtube, external.

Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder, Guernsey's Lieutenant Governor - the Queen's Representative in the Bailiwick - will make an address to islanders at 16:00.

We'll share the video here, on Facebook, external and on Twitter, external.

All cruise ships scheduled to arrive in Guernsey have been cancelled until at least the 11 May, the States has announced.

Previously, the cancellations had been until the end of April, as well as three sailings in early May.

The latest cancellations mean seven more cruise liners will longer land in Guernsey.

Aurigny has revised the timings of their Alderney-Guernsey flights.

The airline said it was due to "changing opening hours" at both Guernsey and Alderney airports because of travel restrictions.

Monday to Friday:

• GR220 departs Guernsey at 11:30 BST
• GR221 departs Alderney at 12:15 BST
• GR228 departs Guernsey at 17:15 BST
• GR229 departs Alderney at 17:55 BST

Saturday:

• GR220 departs Guernsey at 11:30 BST
• GR221 departs Alderney at 12:15 BST

Sunday

• GR228 departs Guernsey at 17:15 BST
• GR229 departs Alderney at 17:55 BST

Pet owners in Guernsey have been given advice on how best to care for their companions, external during the lockdown by the GSCPA.

All essential services remain open, including food suppliers, vet clinics and farriers, but non-essential procedures and services have been suspended.

However, these businesses are operating under changed procedures to respect social distancing guidelines and should be contacted directly for detailed information, the GSPCA said.

Pet owners should call their vet if their animal is ill to see if a face-to-face consolation is necessary.

The organisation also encouraged people to put a plan in place for someone to care for their pets if they fall ill and are unable to.

The plan should include written details about care, feeding and medical history of your animal, as well as your vet’s contact details.

Dog owners are allowed to take their dog for a walk, but should only do so alone or with people they live with, for up to their daily maximum of two hours allowed for exercise.

The GSPCA emphasised there is no "evidence of human-to-pet or pet-to-human transmission of COVID-19", according to multiple medical and veterinary health agencies.

However, the organisation said people should clean their hands after interacting with their animals, in line with "standard veterinary advice".

Horse owners may still ride as part of their daily exercise, but the GSPCA advised people to consider their "safety as a rider so as not to divert medical services from essential duties".

The GSPCA has released comprehensive advice on caring for livestock during the lockdown period, external.

Farmers and smallholders can feed and care for their animals during the lockdown, even if they are located far from their homes, as "proper animal husbandry is essential", the GSCPA said.

Businesses providing essential services will remain open during the lockdown to ensure islanders can take proper care of their animals.

These include veterinary clinics, animal food suppliers, livery stables and farriers.

However, these businesses will have to operate under new social distancing guidelines and all non-essential visits or procedures have been suspended.

The abattoir is currently not operating on a normal schedule and livestock keepers are advised to contact them directly.

Collection of dead animals is currently operating normally.

The Channel Islands' largest retailer had hoped to complete purchase of the Guernsey Pub Company - the holding company of Randalls of Guernsey - by the end of February.

In a statement Sandpiper CI's Board of Directors said it "regrets" the move but it "has been unable to fulfil the conditions" needed to get the shares listed on the International Stock Exchange, which was the "remaining condition to the sale".

The purchase, which will be terminated from 1 April, was due to be its first since the firm joined the exchange in May.

Randalls operates pubs, restaurants, hotels and shops.

The Channel Islands Financial Ombudsman has announced changes to its working practices.

The mediation service said it was "experiencing high demand" and processes would "likely take longer".

However, the ombudsman emphasised it was "committed to continuing to provide a service to the people who need us the most".

The service has closed its office while staff respond to calls and emails from home, but staffing restraints mean replies may be slower than usual.

People who are concerned coronavirus will have an impact on their personal finances should speak to their insurer, bank or financial service provider first, followed by filing an official complaint with them.

However if neither route is productive, the service said it can still help.

New complaints should be submitted using their online form, external and emails can be sent or enquiries@ci-fo.org, external.

Those who need to use the telephone to get in touch have been asked to leave a voicemail, which staff will use to reply to any queries.

Jersey: 01534 748610Guernsey: 01481 722218

An 80-year-old patient has become the first to die on the island after testing positive for Covid-19.

Image source, Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service

A fire crew and vehicle will be stationed at Beau Sejour until further notice to increase the emergency service's "resilience", Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service has announced.

The service explained splitting each shift in half "significantly reduces" the chance of a large number of firefighters being forced into isolation if a crew member is suspected of having coronavirus.

Chief fire officer Jon Le Page said the "relatively simple" change was nonetheless "significant" in preserving the operational capacity of the service.

He added: "The risk of having an entire shift of personnel becoming unfit for operational duties for two weeks would place a substantial strain on our resources and is not a risk we are willing to take.

"Although the crews may still be deployed to the same calls, the risk will be substantially minimised over having them share station facilities."

Guernsey's Les Nicolles Prison has suspended all visits to ensure the "safety and wellbeing" of both staff and prisoners, acting prison governor John de Carteret has announced.

Mr de Carteret said contact between people jailed at Les Nicolles and their families would be "maintained by the prisoners in-cell phones and by post".

He added the decision was a "necessary precaution" in light of social distancing directives from Public Health and it would be reviewed "in due course".

Mr de Carteret said: "Anyone that has any concerns can contact the prison on 248376 for more information.

"I want to take this opportunity to give my assurance that the safety and wellbeing of everyone at the prison is at the forefront of these measures and is my very highest priority."

A new hand sanitiser will be distributed across the island since the "huge" demand for the product due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The new Channel Islands Seaweed Sanitiser has been produced by two Guernsey companies and has been approved by the States.

St John Ambulance Guernsey will be taking on the distribution of the new sanitiser produced by Guernsey Seaweed and the Channel Islands Liquor Company, which normally makes gin.

Image source, St John Ambulance Guernsey

It is now being sold through the St John Healthcare Shop and initial distribution will be to healthcare facilities across the island including residential and care homes, plus essential workers.

Nikki Harrison, chief operating officer of St John Ambulance Guernsey, said: "Our priority is ensuring enough supplies for those establishments that need it most, however, we know members of the public have also been trying source supplies for individual use.

"Once healthcare facilities have been supplied we will review the situation and we hope to make any remaining stock available for the public in due course."

Funds raised through the sale will be donated to St John Ambulance Guernsey.

A £40m loan guarantee scheme to enable further financial support for Guernsey businesses has been announced by the States.

The scheme would mean the government will underwrite 80% of new bank loans to support local trading businesses.

The scheme will be operated by the clearing banks - Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and RBSI/NatWest, however other banks can join them if they wish to, the States said.

The initiative is designed for new loans and the States will not guarantee existing loans with the bank, to avoid "transferring of existing risk to the States".

It is also being established in partnership with the governments of Jersey and the Isle of Man.

Full detail of the scheme's principles:

• The offer is only extended to trading businesses with a maximum turnover of £10m, financial services property investment and development businesses are excluded
• It only applies to any new lending and not any existing bank debt, including the cancellation of one form of lending and its replacement with another
• The States guarantee 80% of the total amount provided
• Loans and overdrafts will be for between £5,000 and £500,000
• The scheme will remain open until the 31st December 2020
• The government guarantee will remain valid for eight years. This will be made up of a six-year term, followed by 18 months for the banks to reclaim the money and a further six months to claim against the States’ guarantee
• A person's primary home cannot be provided as security to a bank as part of the scheme
• The banks may lend up to £250,000 without seeking any form of security
• They will have to report the total number of loans and the amount issued, as well as any declined applications, to the States