Adam Durbin
BBC News Online

The States of Guernsey will vote on retrospectively approving the emergency measures issued over the last few weeks.

These include the legal requirement to self-isolate if you are at risk of having contracted coronavirus, the closure of non-essential businesses and the banning of gatherings of more than two people who do not live together.

The different aspects of the lockdown came into force under regulations allowing emergency body the Civil Contingencies Authority (CCA) to make critical decisions in a crisis.

The CCA is headed up by Deputy Gavin St Pier, who holds the office by virtue of being the president of the island's senior committee, and includes representatives of Alderney and Sark.

Under these regulations, any emergency legislation must be put before the States of Guernsey to be voted on as soon as possible and, if approved by deputies, will last for 30 days from the date it came into force.

Should the States fail to vote for any of the measures they will cease to have effect immediately, or they will lapse seven days after they were laid if left unapproved.

The meeting of the States is being held virtually and is due to start at 14:00.

BBC Radio Guernsey

This year could be a bumper one for wildlife due to the changes put in place in response to the coronavirus pandemic, says the Alderney Wildlife Trust.

Reduced path-clearing and grass-cutting in meadows and even verges will mean wildflowers will be able to bloom and seed, and ecosystems will be uninterrupted.

The trust says this could mean pollinators such as bees could benefit, which should help farmers.

Guernsey's States of Deliberation is due to hold its first ever virtual meeting from 14:00 as coronavirus restrictions mean politicians cannot meet in person.

It will be held via MS Teams, which has already been used for committee meetings and other government business since the 'stay at home' measures came in, and the public can join via this link - https://bit.ly/3eilcfQ, external

You can also listen to the meeting via BBC Radio Guernsey's 1116MW frequency and via online feed.

The virtual meeting format has seen some changes to the rules of procedure including:

• Amendments to most items must be placed 24 hours prior to the meeting
• Anyone wishes to speak must notify the presiding officer electronically and wait to be called
• If a member wishes to make a point of order - to draw attention to a breach of the rules of procedure - or a point of correction - relating to an inaccurate or misleading statement they must notify the presiding officer electronically and wait to be called
• The 'give way' rule - under which a member allows another to interrupt their speech - has been removed

States Greffier Simon Ross said: "Just like all other parts of the States of Guernsey we’ve had to adjust to solutions such as remote working."

On the agenda are confirming emergency laws relating to the coronavirus pandemic - put in place by the Civil Contingency Authority, moving June's general election and items left over from last month's meeting.

Rebecca Thorn
BBC News Online

Muscle ache, loss of smell/taste, and a sore throat have been added to the list of symptoms people in Guernsey should look out for as a sign of coronavirus.

The full list now includes:

• Fever (high temperature, rigors, chills, can’t get warm)
• Shortness of breath, chest tightness
• Continuous new cough
• Headache (sinus pain, pain around eyes)
• Muscle ache (fatigue, exhaustion)
• Loss of smell/taste
• Sore throat

The States of Guernsey said the new symptoms had been added as a result of local case studies and research "from further afield".

Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola Brink said: "This will help us to identify community seeding of the virus, find and quarantine cases and provide them with the appropriate care and support.

"If you, or a household member are showing signs of any, or a combination of these symptoms, please contact the coronavirus helpline or your GP to seek further advice."

Rebecca Thorn
BBC News Online

Image source, GSPCA

A Guernsey animal charity plans to release two rescue seal pups back into the wild together.

Pebbles was "very poorly" when she was first rescued by the GSPCA, and required "around the clock intensive care" on her arrival.

The pup, who is 2-3 months old, is now eating fish and this week got her first taste of the outdoors since her rescue in the charity's pool.

Her fellow grey seal pup Andrew was rescued over a year ago in Jersey.

Geoff George, head of marine mammals at the GSPCA said: "It's been a long journey with Andrew but he is doing so well now.

"They have seen each other from a distance and we are hopeful that they will become good friends so when we can release them they will have one another to help each other."

Image source, GSPCA

Due to the coronavirus restrictions the charity said it is "highly unlikely" it will be able to take a boat to Jersey to release Andrew where he was found.

However, the charity does try to release pups in pairs where possible and a pair released in Jethou in 2013 have been seen coming back with each other time and again.

Rebecca Thorn
BBC News Online

The States of Guernsey has announced initial plans for a 're-shaped' Liberation Day after it was forced to cancel the traditional format as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

It said events including a church service led by the Dean of Guernsey, wreath laying, a message from the Bailiff, and the Lieutenant-Governor reading the Queen’s message would be broadcast online.

Footage will be shown from Liberation 1945 as well as interviews with World War Two veterans who were due to visit Guernsey for this year's celebrations.

The States said it was encouraging people to mark the Liberation anniversary in their homes.

Deputy Matt Fallaize, President of the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture, said the Liberation "must continue to be commemorated" because of the "immense sacrifices made by so many".

A full schedule of the day’s broadcast will be released in due course, the States said.

Rebecca Thorn
BBC News Online

Image source, St John Ambulance Guernsey

A large rainbow has been painted on a St John ambulance after its reflective strips became unavailable as a result of the coronavirus.

The Guernsey ambulance received its makeover when the usual green and yellow battenberg strips could no longer be sourced from the UK.

Homes across the Channel Islands have been displaying rainbows in their windows to cheer up passers by.

The painting was done free of charge by local company Dowding Signs.

Chief ambulance officer Mark Mapp said he hoped it would "raise people's spirits" and "give everyone some hope".