Guernsey businesses applying for help with payroll from the Business Support Scheme will now be able to submit their claims through a new web portal, external.

The new IT processing system being used is expected to "enable faster processing and payment of applications" in a user-friendly way.

Any new claims for payroll funding for dates from 4th May 2020 onward should be submitted through the new web portal.

Previously applications were handled manually and by staff working with businesses via phone and email.

So far, more than 1,000 local businesses have applied with 3,000 payroll payments made -amounting to more than £7m. In addition, £5.3m has been paid in grants to 1,000 small businesses.

Currently the scheme is due to end on 30 June.

However, the island's government understands some businesses may require support behind this date, said Deputy Lyndon Trott, Vice-President of the Policy and Resources Committee, who is leading on economic support measures.

He said: "It’s important that the support measures are applied fairly and we have identified certain circumstances where some businesses might have failed to meet eligibility criteria but still merit support.

"Whilst these cases are always reviewed, extending the criteria means we can widen vital support to those businesses in need.

"We have listened, continue listening and we will not stop listening to those in need."

Deputy Gavin St Pier has said the time frames of each lockdown phase could be shortened if Guernsey managed to "maintain its success".

He warned that while lockdown restrictions were eased and islanders were allowed to do more, "that does not mean you have to do everything that is permissible".

"The central public health message has not, and will not change," he said.

It means islanders must continue to wash their hands regularly, shop alone if possible, and stay at home as much as possible, he added.

Dr Nicola Brink, director of Guernsey's Public Health, has said it is the "right time" for schools to reopen in a limited manner.

She said: "Closing schools, colleges and early years providers for all but those who are the children of essential workers and vulnerable students has been a key part of our response to this pandemic to date."

"I have no doubt that it helped slow the transmission of the virus that causes Covid-19 within the community.

"Given the gains we have made and the current positive position as we move through the phases of our exit strategy, now is the right time for schools to have the opportunity to start re-introducing more students as long as numbers are restricted, social distancing maintained and enhanced hygiene in place," she said.

Primary pupils in Guernsey will be able to attend school for two days a week from 8 June, the States has announced.

Half of each year will attend on Monday and Tuesday and the other half on Thursday and Friday with Wednesday used for enhanced cleaning.

Home schooling will continue on the days they do not attend, with vulnerable and children of essential workers able to attend on all four days.

Secondary schools remain shut except to vulnerable children and those of essential workers.

Pre-schools and nurseries will be able to care for more children, but site specific plans will need to be approved by the States first.

From 1 June some students enrolled in further education courses at the College of Further Education will be invited on to the site for tuition in limited numbers.

Deputy Matt Fallaize, President of the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture, said it was possible to maintain "single classroom bubbles" in primary schools, which was made more difficult in a secondary school setting.

"Students move around every hour or so as they go from lesson to lesson. They have many different teachers every day. In many cases students have different classmates from one lesson to the next.

"At the moment, such practices are not possible in line with public health guidance on social distancing and bubbles," he said.

The islands will enter phase three of the coronavirus lockdown exit strategy on Saturday.

This is a week earlier than originally set out in the framework and follows 15 days with no new cases of the virus.

Under this phase takeaways may be able to reopen, there will be a relaxation of rules around construction and limited access to places of worship for private prayer.

It has been 15 consecutive days since the last diagnosis of a new case of Covid-19 in Guernsey.

The island has had no "unexplained community transmission" since 21 April and there are currently seven active cases of the virus.

Only two of Guernsey's eight active coronavirus cases are from patients in care homes, director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink has confirmed.

Two care homes on the island were particularly badly hit in April, with multiple staff and patients diagnosed with the virus.

Answering questions from the public on social media, Dr Brink said no staff were now positive for the virus and just two patients were still suffering.

Other topics addressed by Dr Brink include:

• Further information on the use of antibody testing
• The expansion of household bubbles
• Resumption of wedding ceremonies
• Visits to care homes

Guernsey's marine ambulance, the Flying Christine III, was called to Sark on Thursday at the request of the island's doctor.

A St John paramedic and a volunteer boat crew responded to the call just after 10:30 BST in rough sea conditions, St John said.

After a handover of the patient from the doctor, a basket stretcher was used to transfer the patient for the return journey to St Peter Port.

Due to the continuing strong winds the boat crew decided to sail south again on the return leg, the ambulance service added.

The casualty was assessed and monitored en route back to Guernsey. before being transferred to a waiting road ambulance and transported to the Emergency Department of the PEH.

A spokesman for the service said: "Although the sea conditions were rough, the crew were excellent in navigating the best route for the patient’s comfort.

"We would like to thank our skilled volunteer boat crew and the clinicians who responded to this incident."

BBC Radio Guernsey

Airline Aurigny has cancelled all of its non-essential flights to and from Guernsey until the end of August.

The airline, which is owned by the Guernsey States, said it was in response to the States' plans for coping with coronavirus, and that its main priority is the wellbeing of its customers and staff.

Weekday flights to Southampton and a limited service to Alderney were to continue to run, it said, as these routes were classed as "lifeline"' flights, connecting the Bailiwick to the UK and ensure pilots keep up their hours.

Managers said staff would contact customers who have had flights cancelled or changed, and they would be advised them of options available to them.

Image source, Aurigny

BBC Radio Guernsey

The States is due to make an announcement on when students will return to school at Friday's coronavirus press conference, BBC Radio Guernsey understands.

All schools in Guernsey closed on 23 March to help slow the spread of Covid-19, with an exception for vulnerable children and the children of key workers.

In April it was announced that schools would remain closed until the 31 May.

The press conference is to get under way at 13:00 and you can follow it on BBC Radio Guernsey on 93.2FM, 1116AM and online.

Healthcare businesses that operate an "essential service" in Guernsey will be allowed to operate again following approval by the States, the Committee for Health and Social Care (HSC) has announced.

The definition of "essential" in the context of healthcare businesses is where "delay of treatment may result in further harm", the committee confirmed.

The resumption of operation will be subject to the submission and approval of a detailed risk assessment to the States medical director.

The assessment will evaluate the activities carried out, premises and public health measures they propose to mitigate risk of coronavirus transmission.

Applications for non-essential healthcare will not be considered in phase two of the States exit from lockdown, HSC added.

Businesses that intend to reopen in a future phase may complete their assessment now and will be approved at a later date.

Full details of the additional activities that will be considered for approval in each phase, as well as the risk assessment form, can be found online, external.

The risk assessment form is an editable document, which should be emailed to publichealth@gov.gg, external.

Guernsey has eight active cases and 85 people are awaiting tests results.

A total of 252 cases have been identified in the island with 3,606 testing being returned negative.

BBC Radio Guernsey

More than £12m has been paid out in business support in Guernsey during the Covid-19 lockdown, the head of Guernsey's civil service has said.

The States is offering various financial assistance packages to business, external, from grants to the co-funding pay scheme.

Paul Whitfield, the chief executive of the States of Guernsey, said more than 1,700 applications had now approved and cash paid.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Alderney has agreed to keep emergency powers for dealing with coronavirus in place.

In its first full remote meeting, the States of Alderney voted unanimously to keep the coronavirus Emergency Powers Regulations from the Civil Contingencies Authority (CAA) for at least another 30 days.

The regulations - drawn up by the CCA to prevent and control the spread of Covid-19 - include powers to detain infected people in isolation.

They came into force on 16 April for the duration of the crisis but need formal approval every 30 days.

Chairman of the Civil Contingencies Authority (CCA) Gavin St Pier has praised the working relationship between the members of the group.

Reflecting on working to protect the Bailiwick from the coronavirus pandemic so far, Deputy St Pier emphasised the "focus" needed to make key decisions in such a rapidly changing situation.

He added it had been a "pleasure" working with CCA colleagues, including director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink and Health and Social Care President Heidi Soulsby.

Deputy St Pier said: "It's been a very easy relationship and I hope it has helped in terms of our overall management as a community."

BBC Radio Guernsey

A fully digital application process for financial support, external in Guernsey will be rolled out within the next fortnight, the chief executive of the States has said.

The States is continuing to take emails from businesses and employers who are asking for help because of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a constant backlog to deal with.

Paul Whitfield, who leads the civil service, said the new service was "built and we're pressure testing it this week".

BBC Radio Guernsey

There was a drop of almost two thirds in the number of people using the St Peter Port seafront road at the height of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

New statistics released to the BBC on road usage over the last four-and-a-half months showed traffic on St George's Esplanade alone often saw 21,000 journeys taken to and from town per day before lockdown began at the start of March.

By the end of March, that figure dropped to under 8,000.

Upon the introduction of phase one lockdown release, that increased to some 8,500 journeys along the road per day, and it then rose to just under 12,000 during the current phase - phase two.

BBC Radio Guernsey

The exodus of Channel Islands Air Search volunteers was caused by a fallout between management and staff at the charity, the BBC has learned.

Two reports into the removal from service of two volunteer crew members earlier this year were prepared for the charity's trustees.

They cited issues like poor communication and a crew safety training programme as reasons why relations broke down.

One report recommended mediation by a former senior member of Air Search and this process was begun, but not completed.

The crew who were removed have not been reinstated.

Channel Islands Air Search said the matter is sensitive and regrettable but that there must always be harmony, mutual trust and respect within a volunteer crew.

The organisation added this is the first time anything like this has happened in its 40-year history and its aircraft remains operational - although subject to some Covid-19 related guidelines - and new crew have been recruited and are being trained.

Guernsey Police have made a fourth arrest in their investigation into the destruction of the wreath laid at the Bailiwick War Memorial to mark Liberation Day.

A new wreath was laid by Bailiff Richard McMahon after he was sworn into the position on Monday.

BBC Channel Islands News

Channel Islands Air Search says it is still fully operational, despite a number of its volunteers quitting.

The loss of some of its 21 volunteer crew is being blamed on unresolved issues within the team which, it said, led to difficult decisions having to be made in the best interests of the charity.

A statement from the Guernsey-based organisation described the situation as "completely regrettable, especially when so many hours have been freely given to saving lives".

A limited search and rescue service remains in place in line with Covid-19 restrictions.