Wednesday update from Chamber
Well it is the very middle of the week, and despite all that we can easily find to complain about – and yes, somebody I know on twitter, did actually complain about running out of avocado today! (Talk about first world problems), the sun is out and so it the news of the refinements made to the Phase 2 co-funding, which many have been anxious to see.
We’ve had an enormous amount of feedback on the updates and earlier today, I’d messaged some within Chamber on the value and different guises of support we have a responsibility to give. Phase 2 will, like all things, bring criticisms and this one has taken some time to unfurl but it will without doubt keep many in employment during the period of this health and economic crisis. One does have to wonder, if we never had the finances to fund it, where we would be. So, whilst there are many issues yet to resolve, lets read on and then get some late evening sun on our collective backs.
News
Co-funding Phase 2
Senator Farnham and Senator Gorst held a briefing at 4pm today.
Refinements to the co-funding mean that for some businesses the 20% employer contribution may not be mandatory. It will involve an application to not paying the 20%. And proving they have no income coming in and no cash in the bank. The full details are due to be published tomorrow, the application portal will be open on the 1st of May and payments should begin from the 5th May.
The full recording of a press briefing including the Q&A’s with the media is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZkY4lpOWJw
Statement from the Chief Minister
I want to give you a short update on our test results, the current capacity within our hospital, and the supply of PPE - which I know is of particular concern to Islanders…
https://www.gov.je/News/2020/Pages/ChiefMinisterStatement21April.aspx
Public and professional acting as eyes and ears to keep children and families safe
More than 130 calls were made to the new Children and Families Hub during its first three weeks of opening, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
https://www.gov.je/News/2020/Pages/ChildrenAndFamiliesHubUpdate.aspx
Low-risk prisoners may be put on early release as part of COVID-19 measures
The States of Jersey Prison Service has announced that as part of the Island’s response to COVID-19 they may allow low-risk prisoners to be released early on licence to reduce the prison population, if required.
https://www.gov.je/News/2020/Pages/PrisonerReleaseCOVID19.aspx
Essential medication delivered Island-wide
Drivers from Jersey Post and Yellow Cabs have been working with the Call and Check Service to deliver health supplies across the Island in partnership with Health and Community Services.
https://www.gov.je/News/2020/Pages/MedicationDeliveries.aspx
States Sitting today
The draft Covid-19 (Construction Work) (Jersey) Regulations 2020 were approved by the States this afternoon. As Chamber Building and Development Member Martin Holmes puts it:
“If anybody fancies a bit of evening reading herewith is what was adopted 42 Pour: 0 Contre; 0 abstentions” Thanks Martin: https://statesassembly.gov.je/assemblypropositions/2020/p.49-2020.pdf
Supplies
A quick mention to our friends at Fox Home Delivery
They have an online service and offer a range of household and shelf stable essentials. Log on, sign in and order here:
A corking good service
New members to Chamber, Corkscrew in the Central Market is online and able to deliver, not only wines, spirits and beers, but confectionary, hampers, gift boxes, milk, butter and Jersey honey, stamps and some fabulous chocolate
https://www.corkscrewjersey.co.uk/delivery-options/
And there is where the Wednesday update leave us. Tomorrow the finalised details on Phase 2 get published in full and I’ll be back with a round up of Thursday.
Look out for some new developments from Chamber in the next few days, as we further enhance the info you need to know… and on that teaser... shades on and a glass of lemonade.
Stay safe, stay home, drive a bit slower, if you have to go out (empty roads and people speeding everywhere I hear) and stay in touch.
Murray
Murray Norton
Chief Executive
JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE