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STATES OF JERSEY
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COVID-19 ELIMINATION STRATEGY (P.61/2020): AMENDMENT
Lodged au Greffe on 15th May 2020 by Deputy K.F. Morel of St. Lawrence
STATES GREFFE
2020 P.61 Amd.
COVID-19 ELIMINATION STRATEGY (P.61/2020): AMENDMENT ____________
PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (b) –
In the third bullet-point, after the words "border controls with high-quality quarantine" insert the words ", or rapid P.C.R. (Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing,".
DEPUTY K.F. MOREL OF ST. LAWRENCE
Note: After this amendment, the proposition would read as follows –
THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion
- to request the Chief Minister to develop and implement a new Covid-19 elimination strategy', arising from which the Government of Jersey should revise its delay, contain, shield' policy and the safe exit framework' to reflect this new strategy;
- that the elimination strategy' must detail a plan of action that will be implemented with the explicit aim of eliminating the virus in Jersey through well-recognised measures used to eliminate infectious diseases –
• rapid case detection identified by widespread testing, and rapid case isolation and contact tracing;
• continued intensive hygiene promotion;
• border controls with high-quality quarantine, or rapid P.C.R. (Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing, of those arriving in Jersey;
• intensive physical distancing that may include various severities of lockdown; and
• a co-ordinated communication strategy for elimination;
- to request the Chief Minister to publish this elimination strategy' in a report to the States within 2 weeks of the date this proposition is adopted, and to publish updated versions of the strategy whenever guidance is altered, in order to ensure that everyone remains fully informed about the current strategy.
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P.61/2020 Amd.
REPORT
This amendment seeks to provide for the inclusion of a P.C.R. testing regime at the ports of entry for visitors to Jersey and returning Islanders, as an additional option, should the States Assembly adopt P.61/2020.
P.C.R. (Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing, is the form of testing that confirms whether an individual has the Covid-19 virus living within their body at the time of testing. As such, it is the only method for determining whether someone is contagious or likely to be contagious in the following days.
The advantage of a rapid P.C.R. testing regime is that it would enable visitors and returning Islanders to be tested for Covid-19 at the port of entry and, assuming the test returns a negative result, they would be able to enter the Island. Should they test positive for the virus, they would then have to return (if a visitor), or enter quarantine or self- isolation (if a resident).
This alternative measure will be important in enabling travel to the Island, and so could support the recommencement of a tourism industry, whilst still enabling the Island to follow the elimination strategy' that P.61/2020 proposes.
There is uncertainty around the efficacy and accuracy of almost all testing facilities, so it would be for the Government to decide whether a rapid testing' regime is viable or not. It is for this reason that by adopting the amendment, Members would not be choosing between testing or quarantine, both options would remain available to the Government.
Financial and manpower implications
There are no financial or manpower implications arising from the adoption of this amendment beyond those stated in P.61/2020.
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P.61/2020 Amd.