BBC Radio Guernsey

Work is still under way to ensure Guernsey is ready to host the NatWest International Island Games in 2021, the island's States has said.

Organisers said they were "planning on the assumption that athletes from 23 islands will be competing in Guernsey between 3 and 9 July 2021.

Education, Sport and Culture Committee President Matt Fallaize said no one could "predict with certainty what the next few months will bring or what the situation will be in summer 2021".

But he added that organisers were "already well advanced with their preparations".

Andrew Segal
BBC News

Guernsey has had no new confirmed cases for 13 consecutive days, the States says.

The government added that there were currently eight active cases after 3,880 tests, which saw 252 positive results.

Some 80 tests are still awaiting results.

There have been 13 deaths of people infected with the virus and a further three deaths are presumed be Covid-19 related.

Emy Hastings, 12, is in lockdown on Herm, but has raised more than £1,000 for health workers and charities working to support the Bailiwick of Guernsey's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

With her mum Fiona, she has set up a Facebook page and posts questions daily with a video or picture solution posted later the same day.

BBC Radio Guernsey

The joint head of the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce Hospitality Group says he's hoping the States' payroll scheme is continued beyond the end of June.

At the moment the States is offering financial support to some businesses by paying 80% of wages, with employers topping up the rest.

Alan Sillett, who also runs the Duke of Normandie Hotel, said that, while the government had been supportive, more clarity on future lockdown plans would be helpful.

BBC Radio Guernsey

La Grande Mare says its hotel and restaurants will be closed over the coming months because of redevelopment of the resort's golfing facilities, meaning all bookings at the hotel are to be cancelled.

Managers said they were fast-tracking redevelopment plans in light of the impact of coronavirus on the island's tourism and hospitality industry.

As far as staff were concerned, bosses said those affected were being supported with an outplacement service, with "appropriate arrangements being made".

General manager Sacha Cauwels-Wigan, said it had been a tough decision to make, but she believed it was in the best interest for the future of the hotel.

The resort's golf course, meanwhile, is remaining open, albeit under ongoing lockdown restrictions.

Euan Mahy
BBC Radio Guernsey

Guernsey’s Financial Services Commission is urging caution over the coming financial year.

The warning comes in the financial watchdog's newly published annual report for the year ending 31 December 2019.

While it would normally offer some indication of the islands’ financial future, in light of the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic, the commission said it was choosing to restrict any predictions.

However, the chairman of the organisation, Cees Schrauwers, has said the island would be able to "weather the storm" this year.

He added that he believed that islanders working together and supporting those most at risk would keep Guernsey in the "best possible shape" for the future.

BBC Radio Guernsey

The chairman of the Civil Contingencies Authority says Guernsey has to take care of everyone on the road to recovery from the pandemic.

Gavin St Pier said coronavirus had invaded and altered every single aspect of island life.

He added that economic recovery was not the only challenge the Bailiwick would face.

Guernsey Police have arrested a 21-year-old woman in connection with the destruction of the Liberation wreath laid at the Bailiwick War Memorial over the weekend.

A 24-year-old woman was arrested earlier on Tuesday and a 19-year-old man on Sunday in connection with the incident.

Islanders are regularly holding a round of applause for all those working on the frontline to combat the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday evenings.

However, on International Nurses Day people are being asked to show support for the island's nurses in particular.

A shine a light event is taking place at 20:30 BST, where islanders can pay tribute to nurses by using a lamp, torch or other light source in their windows or doorways.

The event is in honour of Florence Nightingale, who founded modern nursing in the 19th Century and became known as the Lady with the Lamp during her work with wounded soldiers in the Crimean War.

A 24-year-old woman has been arrested - following the arrest of a 19-year-old man on Sunday.

Guernsey Police have also issued an appeal for businesses or individuals with CCTV along Rue Du Manoir or Lefebvre Street, St Peter Port, to contact them on 725111.

Guernsey's Public Health Service has issued a reminder they revised the list of symptoms to look out for in suspected coronavirus cases.

The full list included:

• Fever (rigors, chills, can't get warm, high temperature)
• Muscle ache (fatigue, exhaustion)
• Headache (sinus pain, pain around eyes)
• Loss of smell or taste
• Continuous new cough
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath, chest tightness
• People over 80 - loose stool, mild fever, not themselves with a cough presenting later

Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink urged people to come forward for testing if they have any of these symptoms "no matter how mild" they might be.

Anyone who suspects they may have the virus can contact the Clinical Helpline on 01481 756938 or 01481 756969 to arrange for testing.

A replacement wreath commemorating Liberation has been laid at the Bailiwick War Memorial, following the destruction of the first tribute on Sunday.

The new Bailiff Richard McMahon placed the new tribute after being sworn in.

The florist who made the wreath was "fortunately" able to make a replacement this morning, a spokesman for the bailiff said.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the destruction of the original arrangement.

Police and islanders have laid flowers on the memorial on Monday morning.

Richard McMahon takes over as the island's 90th Bailiff, calling it "the highest honour".

As he stands down from the role - with his successor due to be sworn in from 14:30 - Sir Richard Collas has "so many" good memories of his 15 years working for the Crown.

Guernsey's North Show and Battle of Flowers will not take place this year, the event's organising committee has confirmed.

The "regrettable" decision was made after confirmation from the States that the "phased release" from lockdown is unlikely to be at a stage where the events would be allowed to run, a committee spokesman said.

President Gary Trimbee-Laine said he was disappointed the show could not be held for what he believed to be the first time since the German Occupation.

He said they "totally understand" why the events were not allowed to go ahead and emphasised their "duty of care" to Islanders

Mr Trimbee-Laine added: "As 2021 marks the centenary of the very first North Show, we are all absolutely determined to put on one of the best next year to mark this special occasion."

The North Show was due to be held at Saumarez Park on 25 and 26 August.

The committee added they have plans to stage a scaled down version of the show virtually either via their Facebook page, external or website, external.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the destruction of a wreath that was laid at a war memorial in Guernsey.

The wreath was laid on Saturday by the Bailiff, Sir Richard Collas, to mark the 75th anniversary of the island's liberation from occupying German forces during World War Two.

It was later found to have been taken from the memorial at Smith Street and destroyed.

Image source, Guernsey Police

Islanders have since laid their own flowers at the memorial to replace the wreath, including lilies left by officers from Guernsey Police on Monday morning.