The COVID-19 pandemic in the Bailiwick of Jersey was part of a global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first case in Jersey was confirmed on 10 March 2020 when a person tested positive on the island after returning from Italy.
The Government of Jersey's strategy after lockdown was "suppress, contain and shield." This involved delaying the spread of the virus, avoiding vulnerable people from catching it, helping the island's health service cope with the number of people requiring hospital care and saving as many lives as possible. It acknowledged that many islanders would become infected, and sought to ensure that the best possible medical care was available to them.
Background
A new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified in Wuhan, China in late December 2019 as the cause of a cluster of cases of an acute respiratory disease now referred to as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). On 11 March, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterised the spread of COVID-19 as a pandemic. As of early 2026, a total of 229 countries and territories have been affected by this virus.
Timeline
February - March 2020: Early response
On 30 January 2020, the Government of Jersey made its first announcement about the virus, saying that its cross-Government review group met that morning to discuss the situation. The following day the Government issued travel advice for islanders returning from affected areas of China.
On 19 February 2020, a helpline was set up to answer islanders' questions about Coronavirus. It was staffed by personnel from Customer & Local Services, Health and Community Services and Environmental Health. As of 9 April, it was handling on average 550 calls per day.
On 10 March 2020, the first case had reached the island – the infected person had travelled from Italy. The following day a second case was confirmed.
On 12 March 2020, the advice from Senator John Le Fondré, Chief Minister of Jersey was to maintain a semblance of normal life, including continuing to go on holidays off-island, but by 14 March his advice changed, requesting over-65s to start social distancing, and on 20 March he extended this advice to islanders of all ages. Islanders had to avoid non-essential travel.
By 20 March there were 10 confirmed cases in Jersey, two of which were believed to have been contracted within the island rather than by inbound travel. From 20 March, all travellers arriving on the island, other than essential workers, were required to self-isolate for 14 days. From midnight on 26 March, those aged over 65 and people with certain underlying medical conditions were required to self-isolate. On 28 March, islanders were told that if one or more people in a household develop COVID-19 symptoms then all the other members of the household must also self-isolate for 14 days.
On 26 March, the Chief Minister called for young people to heed the social distancing advice for the sake of their family members, and bemoaned the spread of unhelpful rumours by conspiracy theorists over social media.
March - April 2020: First wave and lockdown
On 30 March, ten patients with COVID-19 were being treated at the hospital. On the evening of 29 March, the Chief Minister announced a lockdown, effective from 8 am the following morning. Islanders were required to stay at home other than for up to 2 hours for specific purposes unless they were employed in an essential function. The reasons to be outside the home included: shopping for basic necessities (as infrequently as possible), daily socially distanced exercise and for any medical needs. Islanders were permitted to travel to any part of the island for fresh air and essential shopping (but travel time was included in the 2 hour limit). People were encouraged to take advantage of large open spaces such as beaches and the countryside.
The States Assembly passed new legislation, including a law to empower the police to remove people from public areas, enforce self-isolation, testing and screening, and detain those who are potentially infected. On 3 April, a Ministerial Decision was signed to keep schools closed until 1 May at least, except for essential workers' children and some vulnerable children.
On 6 April, the number of confirmed cases totalled 169. 19 patients at the hospital were being treated for COVID-19. More granular data began to be reported, and on 15 April, Charlie Parker, Chief Executive of the Government of Jersey, stated that there were 21 patients with COVID-19 being treated at the Jersey General Hospital with eight others 'elsewhere in other hospital settings'.
By 20 April, the Government had started to report the number of patients who had recovered: 118 cases, almost 50% of confirmed cases, were now classified as recovered. In hospital there were 63 patients of which 14 were COVID-19 positive. The Chief Minister had said that antibody testing would be key to the ending of the lockdown with 10,000 kits arriving in Jersey in mid-April, which were being tested, with a further 150,000 on order from a different supplier. On 24 April the initial lockdown was extended, until at least 11 May.
Informal Governmental discussions on a plan for removing restrictions began in mid-April with the intention to enter formal discussions by the end of the month.
April - September 2020: Safe exit framework
Jersey's exit from lockdown was managed through the Government of Jersey's "Safe exit framework". The framework was composed of four levels:
From 11 May there was a gradual relaxation of the "stay at home" rules – the island moved to 'level 3' which allowed people to leave their homes for up to six hours a day and to meet with up to five people per day from other households. Initially, the two metre physical distancing continued to be required outside the home and extremely vulnerable people were required to continue to self isolate. Restaurants and cafes were permitted to serve food in outside seated areas, and large non-essential businesses could operate, all subject to social distancing. A week later, all retail premises were allowed to open, as long as they maintained two-metre physical distancing.
From 29 May the restrictions on time spent outside were lifted, and people were permitted to enter other peoples homes provided no more than five others enter the home. People were required to continue to maintain two-metre physical distancing when outside their household. Fines of up to £1,000 could be imposed for illegal gatherings.
From 8 June, dentists were allowed to carry out routine as well as emergency procedures, nurseries could open and schools could begin accepting some year groups. On 26 June, the social distancing requirement halved to one metre, and from 1 July pubs were allowed to serve alcohol without a meal to seated customers. On 30 June there were no known active cases and over 15,000 tests had been conducted in total. On 7 July the hospital started to allow adults to visit patients, but with number, time and safety conditions applying.
On 8 August Jersey moved to 'level 1', with further relaxation of rules. The aim was to live safely with the virus, promoting SAFER hygiene/at a distance/in smaller groups/outside/when you can be contacted.
At the start of the September term the schools opened to all children, with specific social distancing rules and staggered start times.
From 1 July to 5 October, a breakdown of sources show two were identified whilst seeking healthcare, 83 were inbound travellers, three were admissions screening, four planned workforce screening and 20 from contact tracing.
October 2020 - January 2021: Second wave and circuit-break
The number of new cases per week began to climb steadily from late September. In November, the Government announced the new "Covid-19 Winter Strategy" in an effort to prepare for winter and avoid a second lockdown. The plan comprised eight main actions:
- Increasing on-Island testing
- Continually updating the travel classifications
- Introducing mask policies for indoor public spaces
- Adopting shielding programmes to keep people at high risk safe but connected
- Vaccinating for flu and when possible, for COVID-19
- Making sure all of Government is prepared, especially in supporting care, health and economic interventions
- Being ready to escalate if needed, but using the 'least overall harm' principle
- Communication about sensible behaviour, backed with enforcement
After a spike in new cases, on 30 November, the Chief Minister announced that face masks would be compulsory in shops, supermarkets, banks, on buses and in taxis, in health care settings, at hairdressers and at beauticians and encouraged remote work where possible. Those over 70 years old should avoid indoor contact with people from outside their household.
The restrictions were increased three days later, with all pubs, bars, restaurants, gyms and fitness classes ordered to close within 24 hours, two metre social distancing is also reinstated with an expectation that these restrictions would continue until after New Year.
By mid December, active cases passed 700 with care homes closing to visitors to try and stop new cases occurring as the vaccination of care home residents began. On 17 December, it was announced a care home resident had died from COVID-19.
On 31 December 2020 2,760 cases had been identified of which 556 were active and there had been 44 deaths.
January - August 2021: Reconnection
On 7 January 2021, the Chief Minister announced the 'process for reconnection', the island's exit strategy from its second period of restrictions. Stage 1 on 11 January saw schools in the island return in full. Other measures would remain in place until at least 25 January, with Ministers announcing more lifting of restrictions on 21 January.
On 24 January 2021, the Health Minister announced the island would move to Stage 2 of the re-connection strategy from 27 January and close-contact businesses from 3 February. It was also announced that islanders would no longer need a referral note for a massage or acupuncture treatment when they reopen. On 26 January, Health Minister Richard Renouf announced the move to Stage 2 would be delayed until 3 February (and close-contact businesses until 10 February) due to a cluster of infections related to staff working in the supply chain of the retail industry. Non-essential retail re-opened from 3 February (nine days later than originally planned) and close-contact businesses were allowed to resume trade from 10 February. On 3 February, it was reported that the town centre was busy, especially King Street. An advisory 'Keep Left' one-way system was implemented on St Helier's high street to help maintain physical distancing.
On 17 February 2021, the Chief Minister announced that further easing of restrictions would take place on 22 February with the island moving to Stage 3 of the re-connection roadmap. Stage 3 saw hospitality venues allowed to reopen as well as the resumption of all outdoor sport and the opening of visitor attractions. 2-metre distancing must be maintained and restaurants and cafés must follow strict guidance on mask wearing and table limits. Alcohol can only be served with a substantial meal, which is either a main course or two starters - and not with light snacks.
Stage 4 would have seen pubs and gyms, indoor swimming being allowed to reopen from 10 March (at the earliest). People will be able to meet others indoors.
On 5 March 2021, Deputy Chief Minister Senator Lyndon Farnham set out the re-connection process to remove all COVID-19 restrictions in Jersey. Each stage will last for at least four weeks, higher than the earlier three weeks.
An announcement on travel restrictions will come the week after.
On 15 March, Jersey moved to Stage 4 of the reconnection. Indoor sporting events and venues are allowed to re-open. Indoor mixing of up to 10 people was permitted under guidance once again a day earlier for Mothering Sunday.
On 19 March, the Government announced the reconnection strategy for travel. The island will return to regional classifications on the Green/Amber/Red framework from 26 April. From 17 May, all countries will move from all-red to regional classifications except those on the UK "red list" of travel banned countries.