Monday update from Chamber
Following on from a positive meeting Chamber had with Government at the end of last week, as outlined in the news update below, the Government needs a few more days to finalise the Phase 2 co-funding detailed information and guidance that employers and self-employed people will need. This information will now be published early this week.
Today, Chamber met with the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel. We have also been asked by Chamber members many times over, questions surrounding the need for four Bank Holidays that May. Many businesses say they will be counting the extra costs of operating, whilst the likelihood of still being in lockdown. Perhaps moving one or two of them until later in the year might be of benefit to everyone, those who can go out and enjoy and those who’s business could enjoy a late season boost?
Tonight, we are full of news, starting with a catch up on that since last we updated, through the weekend to today.
News
On Friday evening, and after our last update, the Chief Minister released a statement. It’s 3 days old but just in case, you missed it…
https://www.gov.je/News/2020/Pages/StatementChiefMinister17April.aspx
Also on Friday, news that the co-funding update was delayed.
https://www.gov.je/News/2020/Pages/PayrollSchemeUpdate.aspx
There was also news of the new Nightingale Hospital taking shape…
A time-lapse video, showing the work to date, and highlighting the work planned for the coming week has been published on social media today. Videos showing the work it progresses will be published in coming weeks.
The first of the weekly updates was held today. Anyone who would like to receive the online update should email [email protected] putting NIGHTINGALE in the subject line
New details on COVID-19 cases to be published
Greater details regarding those tested for Coronavirus will now be published daily from today, (Monday 20 April) alongside the total positive and negative cases.
https://www.gov.je/News/2020/Pages/NewStatsPublished-.aspx
Government of Jersey and Blue Islands air service launched
The Government of Jersey has finalised a contract with Blue Islands to charter regular and reliable flights to and from Southampton, ensuring that people are able to travel on urgent compassionate grounds; for essential medical treatment; for work which is critical to the safe-running of the Island; or in order to return to their permanent home.
https://www.gov.je/News/2020/Pages/GovernmentBlueIslands.aspx
Statement from the Minister for Education
“We will soon be announcing our new Learning at Home platform, which will provide extra support to help parents and students with home learning while schools are closed during term time.”
https://www.gov.je/News/2020/Pages/EducationMinisterStatement20April.aspx
The Government of Jersey, Digital Jersey and all four local telecoms companies have teamed up to offer a free broadband connection to households with school children and those leaving care, who don’t already have access to one, during the Covid-19 crisis. Free broadband offered to school children and young people leaving care with no access
https://www.gov.je/News/2020/Pages/FreeBroadband.aspx
And finally, The Chief Minister today gave a live update this afternoon on COVID-19 developments, statistical information and the Nightingale hospital.
This included a Q&A with the media, and the whole 58’38” can be viewed here…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA8M7PvLNPc
Help
The permit application process to re-open a construction site for more than two people is now live online and can be accessed via the following link:-
https://www.gov.je/Health/Coronavirus/BusinessAndEmployment/Pages/CoronavirusBusinessAdvice.aspx
If you open the “Construction sites” sub-heading under the “Building works and construction” heading from the menu on the left hand side you will find the link to the Permit application process highlighted in green. Please note the accompanying qualification regarding the conditions applying to such permits being issued:-
Permits are required for any construction activity or site where more than two people are present.
The permit process is subject to approval by the States Assembly on Tuesday 21 April 2020 and agreement by the Medical Officer of Health that construction sites can operate whilst minimising the risk of spreading coronavirus. No permits will be issued until such time that both these conditions have been met.
Sites that have permits will be given posters that they must display to show that they have been allowed to operate and must comply with the requirements to minimize the risk of spreading coronavirus
And finally,
For those employers wondering just what to do, some legal advice, fresh from the good pages of Jersey Business, via a factsheet on 10 employment mistakes to avoid
And on that note, I wish you a Happy Monday evening,
Stay safe, stay at home and stay in touch,
Murray
Murray Norton
Chief Executive
JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE