Press Release - Exit from Lockdown 15.02.2021

Alderney will not rush into lockdown exit

Alderney may be given dispensation to move forward more quickly between exit stages
than Guernsey but will not attempt to rush into lockdown exit despite pressure in some
quarters for a "total exit".

The cautious approach was spelled out in a Quay FM broadcast by the Island's lead politician
Bill Abel who is also the Alderney representative on the Bailiwick's Civil Contingencies
Authority (CCA).

He said States of Alderney Members have received emails and communications asking for a
"rushed" exit from lockdown based on perceived risks with only a single managed, although
still active, incident of COVID-19 on the Island.

"We still have an active case on the Island, a situation we never expected," he said on Quay
FM.

"We cannot rush the process and consultation and approval is needed from both Public
Health and the CCA as Alderney still forms part of the Bailiwick's wider risk profile.

"We all need to remember that our current low risk situation is not due to luck but is as a
result of a well-managed process of a rapid lockdown on January 23 followed by the
requirement for travellers to isolate for 14 days on entering the Island.

"The Strategy for Exiting Lockdown is not only focused on the preservation of life but is also
structured around the wellbeing of the communities and the need to get our economies up
and running. The Strategy considers opening up in three Stages and is based on risk and the
capacity of Public Health and the Civil Services across the Bailiwick.

"The risks for our community continue to be reduced with the rollout of the vaccination
programme, together with the dedication and competence of our medical and emergency

services, and the competent management by the CCA, Public Health and the Civil Services of
the Bailiwick.

"It is important to remember that if we have an outbreak we will need the support and
medical services from Guernsey and this will significantly impact on their efforts to contain
the current outbreak on Guernsey."

He said the new variant of the virus is more virulent and has a higher rate of transmission
than the strain faced last year. "So any risk of the virus getting a toehold here in Alderney
will put us back into lockdown, increase the strain on the Bailiwick's health system and may
lead to the loss of life."

He added that States Members are trying to do their best for Alderney. "We are not medical
experts and we are guided by professionals," he said. "From our perspective we want to
both preserve life and serve the community by getting the economy up and running again."

The CCA is expected to announce the timing of Stage 1 tomorrow (February 16), which could
come as early as Thursday and will allow two households to "bubble" and outdoor
gatherings of up to five people while maintaining social distance. Businesses will be able to
operate with up to 10 members of staff for outdoor sites and up to five indoors where the
work cannot be done remotely. Businesses will be required to register online that they will
be working and provide a method statement describing how they will minimise risk.

Stage 2 will allow gatherings of up to 30 people, inside or outside and restaurants, pubs,
cafés and hotels will be able to operate with table service only. Ultimately, Stage 3 will see a
return to the 'Bailiwick Bubble' with social, recreation and business activity permitted.

The Policy and Finance Committee, which is chaired by Mr Abel, has submitted proposals to
the CCA on a "faster" exit from lockdown for Alderney, for example an earlier adoption of
Stage 2.

Full details of the Bailiwick's 'Exit from Lockdown' are at
https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/exit.