Guernsey Police and the island's health authorities are working together to monitor and support those required to self-isolate for 14 days on their return to the island.

Guernsey has reached an agreement to borrow up to £225m from banks to fund the ongoing response to the pandemic, the Policy and Resources Committee (P&R) has announced.

The arrangement follows the States resolution to borrow up to £250m to meet short-term cash requirements, as part of an overall relief package of up to £650m.

The revolving credit facility (RCF), a flexible loan arrangement where a set amount of money is made available and interest is paid on the amount borrowed with a smaller fee paid on the remaining amount, agreed between the States and five local banks will be in place for two years.

Its purpose is to provide the States with money to maintain coronavirus relief measures, at a time where government tax revenue and cash-flow are down "significantly", P&R explained.

The committee said: "It is likely some form of financial support for businesses and individuals will need to continue for some time."

Among the ongoing commitments the States has made is to cover Aurigny's additional funding needs during the crisis, P&R added.

The committee expressed confidence that, while they were allowed to borrow an additional £25m, the RCF would be "sufficient to provide the necessary funds in the short-term".

The arrangement has been made with the local branches of Barclays, Butterfield, HSBC, Lloyds and The Royal Bank of Scotland.

More than one person will be allowed to visit a patient at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, although each individual will have to attend at a different time.

Visiting hours at the hospital are between 15:00 and 18:00 BST.

It means three visitors could meet the same patient for one hour each.

Anyone attending must must book with the Ward by 12:00, the States said.

Guernsey Police and Fire and Rescue Service have been visiting pubs to check as they reopen.

The Bailiwick became the first place in British Isles to open pubs and bars serving just drinks on Monday, after phase four of lockdown exit began on Saturday.

Andy Goodall, crime reduction adviser, said officers were looking to work with alcohol licensees to make sure they were aware of and could comply with public health measures, external.

These include an earlier closing time of 22:30 BST, requiring 1m (3ft 3in) distancing between tables, no ordering at the bar and keeping a record of everyone who visits the pub, should contact tracing need to be carried out.

Mr Goodall said: "This isn't a draconian measure, this is working with the licencing trade to make sure they get it right, to make sure their staff and their patrons are safe."

Martin Lucas, from the fire service, said they were working with owners to advise over fire safety with their new operating rules.

Mr Lucas added their aim was to help pubs "back on their feet and open, ready to celebrate the first pints being poured in the pubs of Guernsey".

Rebecca Thorn
BBC News Online

Patients from Guernsey travelling to University Hospital Southampton to receive inpatient treatment will be required to self-isolate for 14 days prior to the trip as well as 14 days on their return.

While this currently only applies to Southampton patients, the States said it was "anticipated" this would become an NHS-wide requirement.

Those travelling to Southampton will also be tested for coronavirus 48 hours prior to their appointment.

Patients with existing appointments within 14 days who have not been self-isolating may be advised that their admissions might need to be postponed.

Currently anyone arriving in the Bailiwick has to self-isolate for 14 days.

In addition, people who require a general anesthetic for appointments at Guernsey's Princess Elizabeth Hospital will also have to self-isolate for a two-week period.

Rebecca Thorn
BBC News Online

Two interim principals have been appointed to lead St Sampson’s and Les Beaucamps high schools while the future of Guernsey's secondary education is reviewed.

Vicky Godley will lead St Sampson’s from September, and Martin Haimes will continue to act up as the head of Les Beaucamps.

An advert has also been posted for an interim principal at La Mare de Carteret High School to replace Mrs Godley.

The appointments will last for two years until July 2022.

Plans to move the island's secondary education to a 'one school, two sites' system were halted in March following a successful requete.

The States will now have to prepare a report comparing the current plans to previously presented alternative options.

Deputy Matt Fallaize, President of the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture, said: "Obviously we had to make some changes to the leadership plans once the States directed the 'pause and review' of secondary education.

"We are putting in place an interim leadership team for the next couple of years before the transition can begin to whatever future model of secondary education the current or next States put in place."

Rebecca Thorn
BBC News Online

Pebble towers lining the coast of Guernsey will be permanently recorded in a collection created by the island's art commission.

The stacks of pebbles were put together by islanders during the coronavirus pandemic, with each new creation adding to a long line of the art pieces.

Islanders are being encouraged to take pictures and videos of their towers to be shared in the collection.

Towers that prompt concerns over their "height or stability" are due to be removed by the Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services.

However, the team has agreed to pause these removals to allow islanders to take pictures.

Deputy Matt Fallaize, President of the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture, said: "The pebble towers, large or small, have become symbolic of the way the people of Guernsey have faced the difficult challenges of the past few months.

"We did not want memories of the towers to be lost. They are part of our social history and in the future they will have special meaning for lots of people."

Anyone who built a tower and would like to share a recording can contact the arts commission at russ.fossey@gov.gg, external

Rebecca Thorn
BBC News Online

A new campaign encouraging islanders to take a 'staycation' in the Bailiwick has been launched by the States of Guernsey.

'The Summer Starts HERE' campaign asks islanders to take advantage of the local tourism industry amid the coronavirus pandemic.

An online hub will provide a central point of call for those looking for holiday accommodation, local points of interest, and holiday activities.

The information will be collated from local tourism operators and include details on availability and prices.

Every household in Guernsey is due to receive an invitation to the ‘The Bailiwick Staycation Club’ with further details, the States said.

Deputy Joe Mooney, Tourism Lead for the Committee for Economic Development said the island's tourism industry had been "hit hard by the crisis" and had lost a lot of income as a result.

"We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, somewhere hundreds of thousands come to holiday every year and this is an opportunity to make the most of what we have right on our doorstep."

States figures show that in 2019 there were 413,694 visitors to Guernsey, external from outside of the Bailiwick contributing £146m to the economy.

Beau Sejour Leisure Centre in Guernsey will become the first public leisure centre to reopen in the British Isles, the States has announced.

The centre will operate reduced hours between 07:00 to 19:00 BST.

Staff have been "working hard" to ensure its facilities and activities meet the public health guidelines to operate in Phase Four of lockdown, the government said.

This includes ensuring the lifeguard team is trained in new Covid-19 standards from the Royal Life Saving Society.

A booking system for all activities will be introduced, even ones where people would normally just "show up and take part" like swimming, the centre confirmed.

Other examples of these changes include:

• A welcome desk in place when you first enter the building
• Public swimming will be lane only, with a maximum of 30 users, bookable in hour slots

• The small pool will be split into two lanes, available to book by those who were part of the same extended bubble in Phase Three
• The gym will also be bookable for hourly slots, for a maximum of 10 users at any one time
• Fitness classes will resume on 6 June and take place in the David Ferguson Hall to ensure social distancing
• The cafe will be takeaway only
• Some activities are still not permitted, such as birthday parties, children's gym sessions and contact sports, including squash

Swimmers are asked to come "beach ready", with their swimming costume under their normal clothes, the centre said.

This is because access to the swimming pool will be via the cafe, with stations to leave your belongings available poolside and access to the changing room will only be after their swim.

Showering and changing will be permitted at the end of the hour slot.

Squash courts can still be booked by a solo player or with a one to one coaching session, where the coach is not playing and maintains social distancing at all times, the centre confirmed.

Healthy Lifestyle Centre activities will remain under review, as these classes are often delivered to customers who are likely to be more at risk, it added.

Claire Gilbody-Dickerson
BBC News

Guernsey Dairy had to rely on 20,000 litres of cold store reserves to try to keep up with demand over the weekend as milk processing halted due to a technical fault.

All milk destined for doorstep deliveries was picked up from the dairy on Saturday morning but orders for local retail outlets had to be restricted, with only half of the normal quantities being fulfilled from remaining stock.

Processing started again at 03:00 on Saturday but as with all local milk, the newly produced stock had to undergo 24 hours of testing before it could be sold, meaning distribution didn't start again till Sunday.

Andrew Tabel, general manager of Guernsey Dairy, said all equipment undergoes regular preventative maintenance, but technical faults are "inevitable" when machinery runs continuously.

“Unfortunately, this was one of those breakdowns that did have a major impact, and the timing could not have been worse given the current travel restrictions and heading into a weekend."

He said they were looking at the chance of being incapacitated till Tuesday had their engineering team not fixed the issue so swiftly.

“Thanks to the resourcefulness and dedication of our staff, who pulled out all the stops, we managed to prevent the island from running out of fresh, locally produced, liquid milk.”

A £3m initiative to boost the Channel Island's telecom networks is under way.

Sure engineers started work to upgrade the infrastructure that connects the islands to the global internet.

It is part of a five-year plan announced last year and which will cost more than £3m.

The undersea fibre connectivity linking the islands to the UK and France and from there to the rest of the world will be replaced and upgraded as part of the plan. Engineers will also commission new key networking equipment in London and Paris.

Image source, Sure

The firm said the new technology will boost network resilience and capacity in increments of 100 gigabites - more than 10 times that allowed by current technology.

Sure Group CEO Ian Kelly said: "This is a significant long-term investment for Sure, with the current pandemic situation a reminder that telecoms infrastructure is a key and growing component of our economy and daily lives," said Mr Kelly.

"There’s never been more demand on our networks, and we want to make sure we stay well ahead of this demand by investing in long-term telecoms infrastructure that futureproofs the Channel Islands."

Claire Gilbody-Dickerson
BBC News

Emergency ambulance crews have returned to the Rohais, as Guernsey moves into phase four of the exit from lockdown.

The crews had been located at satellite stations at Les Cotils and Les Gigands in a bid to increase operational resilience and reduce risk during the coronavirus pandemic. Remaining crew operated from St John headquarters.

Measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, such as new social distancing arrangements and additional hygiene measures, are in place at the ambulance station.

Image source, St John Ambulance Guernsey

Senior officer Steve Ford thanked those who allowed them to use the satellite stations saying the collaboration was an example of the Guernsey Together spirit.

"Splitting the crews significantly reduced the likelihood of an entire team having to go into isolation if one of them became unwell with coronavirus symptoms and so allowed us to continue to provide an efficient and fully functional ambulance service for the island," he said.

He added the team will keep monitoring Public Health guidance and keep procedures under review.

BBC Radio Guernsey

The owner of the Golden Lion says local publicans will not know how to operate going forward if they don't open and try.

As part of phase four, all remaining pubs on the island that don't serve food were allowed to open from Monday.

Jack Gervais-Brazier, who opened the Golden Lion at 16:00 on Monday, acknowledges people may be worried about the repercussions of opening again.

Image source, Google

He said he held multiple conversations with fellow publicans on how to go ahead.

"All I said to them was that I think you've got to put the ship to sea to see how it sails", before pointing outhow consumers are generally respectful and appreciate they also have an individual responsibility to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

During lockdown the Guernsey Football Association has been recording and releasing the videos.

BBC Radio Guernsey

The Guernsey Voluntary Service and Guernsey Disability Swimming are to be recognised by the Queen.

Both organisations are on this year’s list of 230 volunteering groups that have been selected from across the UK and Crown Dependencies to receive The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

It is the highest award available to local volunteer groups.

Image source, Reuters

Guernsey parents should have received guidance on the reopening of States schools from 8 June, according to the Committee for Education Sport and Culture (ESC).

The guidance document outlines the changes, external that will be made to schools to keep children and staff safe.

These include:

• Enhanced cleaning of the buildings
• Possible staggering of break and start times to help social distancing, depending on the capacity and layout of the school
• Staff promoting "excellent hygiene practices" to children, particularly focusing on the importance of hand washing
• No contact sport in PE lessons
• Closing school canteens
• Limiting capacity on school buses to ensure distancing

• No after school clubs

ESC president Matt Fallaize said the committee said the guidance attempted to "provide information and answers that will be consistent across all schools".

However, Deputy Fallaize recognised many changes will be applied at an "individual school level".

He said: "Operational measures required to meet public health guidance will understandably be different for many of our schools."

BBC Radio Guernsey

NatWest International has announced it will end its sponsorship of the Island Games.

It means the 2021 games in Guernsey will be the last to receive the funding, first offered by the bank 22 years ago.

The competition was founded in 1985 in the Isle of Man in a bid to bring together athletes from small islands across the world.

Up to 25 islands come together for a week every two years to compete in 14 different sports.

In 2015 Jersey also received funding from the bank when it hosted the games.

Steve Camm, managing director of NatWest International, said: "Hosting the games is a huge feat that brings real challenge for the host island, but the effect it can have on an island and islanders has often been transformative in terms of sports infrastructure and achievement.

"It is fitting that our last event as sponsor is in the Channel Islands and we feel honoured to be able to pass the baton on to the new partner to take the games into a new era in such good shape."

Rebecca Thorn
BBC News Online

Image source, Island Global Research

Some 45% of 481 Jersey residents still perceive the threat of coronavirus to be high or very high to the island, a survey has reported.

Island Global Research found this was lower in Guernsey, with only 26% of 547 respondents feeling the same.

In Guernsey 33% of people said they believed things would "return to normal" in less than three months.

This compared to 20% who answered the same question in Jersey, and 32% who believed it would take longer than 12 months to return to normality.

Image source, Island Global Research

In Guernsey director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink has pursued a 'test, trace, and quarantine' strategy against the coronavirus, while Jersey has committed to a 'delay, contain, and shield' strategy.

Only 7% of Guernsey respondents said they disagreed or strongly disagreed with the approach, with 87% saying they agreed or strongly agreed with it.

In comparison only 37% of those surveyed in Jersey said they were in agreement with their government's strategy, with 32% stating they disagreed or strongly disagreed with the approach.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Guernsey Police are resuming high-visiblity patrols as pubs across the island reopen.

It comes as the restrictions on Guernsey's pubs not serving food have been lifted, allowing drinks only services to resume with public health guidelines in place.

Officers said the step-up in policing was taking place as the island's night-time economy became more active.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Capacity on sailings to and from Sark will vary as ferry staff adapt to coronavirus guidance, the managing director of Sark Shipping has said.

Sark has reopened its borders to other islands in the bailiwick, with Sark Shipping having resumed sailings.

Jan Milner, from the company, said he was delighted they could operate again, but customers would need to be patient while they deal with an "evolving situation" as the company dealt with the "prime concern ... to maintain customer safety".

Image source, Sark Shipping