As more evidence and research becomes available on the long-term effects of COVID-19, Islanders who think they might be suffering from the long-term effects of COVID-19 should contact their GP.
LIVE
COVID-19 updates
12:00pm - 8 April
Islanders concerned about Long COVID should speak to their GP
7:35pm - 7 April
SoG responds to latest MHRA guidance on the AstraZeneca vaccine
Following today’s update from the MHRA and the new JCVI guidance, as an extra cautionary measure, the Bailiwick Vaccination Programme will ensure that anyone under 30, with no underlying health risk, will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (or the Moderna Vaccine when available) when they are invited to make their vaccine appointments.
Those under 30 who are due to receive a second dose of the Astra Zeneca vaccine and who didn’t suffer from the side effects reported by the MHRA should have the second dose as the data from the MHRA suggests that all reported adverse incidents of this type have been associated with the first dose of vaccine to date.
3:30pm - 1 April
Phase 2 of vaccination programme set to begin
Phase 2 of the programme for those 18 to 49 will continue to be delivered at the Community Vaccination Centre at Beau Sejour and the Committee for Health & Social Care has agreed that the rollout will be largely done in order of age.
2:00pm - 1 April
Any over-50s yet to receive first vaccination are urged to book in
Anyone aged over 50 that is yet to have arranged an appointment for their first COVID-19 vaccination is being encouraged to call the Vaccination Call Centre on 01481 707607 to book their appointment. This advice to call and book is regardless of whether over-50s have received a letter or not.
1:00pm - 1 April
Appeal to act on any COVID-19 symptoms immediately this Easter – if unwell, stay at home and report symptoms
As we head into a 4-day weekend, Public Health is urging islanders not to be complacent about feeling under the weather. If a person develops any of the symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild, they should stay at home and report their symptoms to the clinical helpline or their GP.
9:40am - 1 April
Revenue Service award social security contribution credits to employees impacted by COVID-19
Employed people in Guernsey and Alderney with gaps in their contribution record due to having reduced earnings in the lockdown period from 23 January to 21 March 2021 will be awarded contribution credits and will not have to pay to plug the gaps.
3:00pm - 30 March
Over-50s asked to prioritise having vaccine at allotted time wherever possible
Islanders in the over-50s vaccine group are being asked to please prioritise attending their vaccination over other commitments.
The request comes after the Vaccination Call Centre reported people in this age group seeking to choose their own vaccination time slot.
11:10am - 26 March
Payroll co-funding claims for March open on April 1st
Businesses seeking to claim for financial support through the payroll co-funding scheme are reminded they can submit claims for March from 1st April 2021. If businesses have questions, email business.support@gov.gg or call 01481 743803.
9:35am - 25 March
Speech Of Chief Minister And Chair Of The Civil Contingencies Authority, On The First Anniversary Of The Bailiwick Entering Its First Covid-19 ‘Lockdown’
Sir,
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak again today. Yesterday I stood up to speak about the work of the Policy & Resources Committee. It was an important statement because that is important work, for our community and its future. But what I am about to speak about now has weighed more heavily on my mind: it is one year to the day since the Bailiwick entered its first lockdown, in its extraordinary effort to counter the threat posed by a new virus and a new disease, COVID-19. But what words can one find to articulate truly the significance of that day, the sense of strangeness and bewilderment that this could really be happening; the enormity and seriousness of the decision for those tasked with making it; the fear and uncertainty of what it would mean; the many, many questions. How long would it last? What damage would be done to jobs, businesses and our economy? Would a lockdown actually do what we hoped it would – save lives?
Since that day, so much has happened. We have entered and exited lockdown not once but twice. We are right now again enjoying the revitalising sense that comes with being fresh out of lockdown. We don’t have to stay at home. We don’t have to limit the family and friends we see. We don’t have to explain to our children why schools are closed. We don’t have to wonder how long it will be before we next get some real, fully paid work. We don’t have to worry that one of our loved ones may be the next person to test positive for COVID. A year ago, we might not have considered that we would feel so fortunate for these simple things. Things we once all took for granted.
We can and should celebrate our success as a community in responding to this threat, a threat like no other in our lifetimes, a threat like we never imagined in peace-time. How absolutely tremendous, how awe-inspiring, how deeply and forever moving has been the way the people of this Bailiwick have come together. It is historic and should never be forgotten and that is not an overstatement.
But for all the celebrations, we must also mourn. During our first lockdown there were 13 COVID-related deaths. 13 mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, grandparents, brothers, sisters. 13 Islanders. And in this second lockdown, one more. One more life tragically lost.
Many more were ill, some seriously, and some of those continue to feel the effects of this illness.
And then there are so many who have paid a price in some other way, because of this pandemic. Those who’ve lost their job, those cut off from family and friends because of the unprecedented restrictions we’ve had to keep in place at our borders for a year.
Think on it. A year, with hardly any travel into or out of our Islands. A year of watching the whole world struggle to understand and contain and combat this virus. Think how unreal it would all seem just one year ago.
For a lot of this year, compared to many other places, we’ve felt safe – special even – in our little Bailiwick bubble. But preserving that bubble, and more recently, re-establishing that bubble has taken so much hard work.
So as we mark this strange anniversary, which gives us cause to both celebrate and lament, let us also be grateful. We give our thanks to Islanders for their cooperation, their commitment to protecting each other, and protecting their Islands. We give our thanks to those who’ve worked on the frontlines in both lockdowns, from the supermarkets to the care homes, from the testing tents to the ports. We give our thanks that while lives have been lost here in our Islands, so so many have been saved. Saved by the good work of all of us in this Bailiwick.
12:00pm - 23 March
COVID-19 Vaccines for Bailiwick students studying in the UK
Public Health Services has received a number of queries from parents asking whether their children, who are studying in the UK, can be vaccinated before they return to the UK.
Students are entitled to the vaccine in the UK, and in the Bailiwick, when their age group opens up. It is not possible for the Bailiwick to bring forward vaccinations outside of the agreed priority order.
