Chamber have further engaged today on the BBC and are engaged with Government as we await details on Phase 2, which we are assured will be before the Easter break. Tomorrow is that day, when it all becomes clear, when the details of the included, excluded and caveats are known. Big businesses and many households will depend on those details, so no pressure then. Chamber has been engaging with – that’s lots of talking – with businesses big and small and with those in Government to make them as aware as they can be of the difficulties that exist. A fair amount of credit has to go to the handful of politicians in the frontline of the economy and the officers working through to deliver for as many as they can – and have me in their ear several times a day. Yesterday and today, we took up the concerns of Ferryspeed and Jersey Gas and many others, along with accountants, recruitment firms, architects, estate agents, school suppliers, local food producers, aviation companies and many more. Let’s hope the questions, chats and wait has been worth it. Tomorrow then.
Finally, in this section the Employment and Skills Committee met today and discussed – well, employment and skills, both now and in the future. The overriding theme was ‘this is about people’ and looking after your people is paramount. Talk to them, help them where you can and mostly check and care about their wellbeing. If they are working remotely or just off, make sure you check on them and how they are coping.
News
Jersey banks have now increased their contactless payment limits to minimise the shared handling of card readers and help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds International, NatWest International and Santander International have all increased their limit from £30 to £45. Islanders will now be able to use contactless payments for payments up to £45 at a range of retailers, including Alliance, Co-Op, Sandpiper and Waitrose. Read more HERE.
Education Minister statement on private nursery closure
The Education Minister Senator Tracey Vallois has made the following statement about a private nursery, which announced it is has ceased trading.
Health service preparedness for COVID-19
Statements were made yesterday by Caroline Landon, Director General for Health and Community Services, Rob Sainsbury, Health and Community Services Group Managing Director, Patrick Armstrong, Jersey’s Medical Director, and Rose Naylor, Jersey’s Chief Nurse.
Statement from the Health Minister yesterday
The virtual States Assembly will be live streamed and if you’d like to watch the proceedings, click HERE.
The order paper for tomorrow’s sitting is HERE. And will include a debate on changes to laws on residential tenancy agreements until 30th September 2020.
Help
WeDigital have launched fast response Covid-19 support packages to help fellow Jersey Businesses cope during this time, with ecommerce sites or digital marketing, setup within 1-2 days at 50% off. Read more HERE.
A huge shout out to GR8. Lee Madden has given us some valued heads up on his work so far.
GR8 Foundations (GR8F) was set up last year as part of their CSR with the intent and strap line of ‘supporting the community into employment’ working with agencies such as JET, BTW, Skills Jersey and States of Jersey Prison helping those with barriers to employment in or back into work.
Now GR8F is supporting the community by providing a resource pool of qualified staff. Register at www.gr8jersey,com/gr8f/
To date they have employed 61 people across various sectors in the last two and a half weeks. Expect more news in the coming days.
Food
Whole Lobster & Prawn Salad Sharing Platter for 2 Easter Weekend?
Portelet Inn, Boathouse and the Farmhouse are all doing it – and it includes Jersey Royals and wine - and they deliver, click HERE to pre-order:
Stay safe, stay at home and stay in touch with each other…
Murray
Murray Norton
Chief Executive
JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE