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WQ.241/2021
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHIEF MINISTER BY THE CONNÉTABLE OF ST. MARTIN
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 17th MAY 2021 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 24th MAY 2021
Question
Will the Minister state –
- how the decision for implementation of the green light status' travel scheme was reached, and which body was responsible for confirming this decision;
- the Ministers that were responsible for the implementation of this scheme;
- which Ministers, if any, voted against this scheme at the agreement stage;
- the reasons why this scheme falls under the remit of the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture rather than the Minister for Health and Social Services;
- the medical, political, legal and ethical advice that was sought when developing the scheme;
- what consultation, if any, was sought from non-executive States Members in the development of the scheme;
- how the scheme links to the vaccine passport scheme currently under discussion, if at all; and
- what plans, if any, are in place to accommodate those who wish to travel to Jersey from a green or amber region but who are unable to be vaccinated due to pre-existing medical conditions, such as specific allergies, as advised by a healthcare professional?
Answer
(a) – (e)
As part of our pandemic response, governance structures have supported good decision-making, including consideration at STAC; thorough discussion at Competent Authority Meetings ("CAM"); and reference, in the case of material matters, to the Council of Ministers.
However, CAM is not a collective decision-making body, with actual decisions being taken by the relevant minister following endorsement by CAM. As such, throughout the pandemic, decisions have continued to be made by the individual responsible Minister, often at CAM, or by the Council of Ministers as a whole.
These processes include advice from senior medical and legal professionals, as a crucial component, and ethical matters are always taken into consideration.
Furthermore, wherever practical, briefings to the relevant Panels and to States Members have taken place.
In the case of the latest amendments to the Safe Travel policy due for implementation on the 28th May, 2021, the Chief Minister has acted as political-lead, further to the above processes, recognising that it is a cross-cutting issue (rather than the Economic Development, Tourism Sport and Culture Minister, or the Health and Social Services Minister).
(g-h suggested)
The incorporation of individual vaccination status to the Safer Travel Policy forms part of the broader Covid Status Certification (CSC) project. The CSC project is working to provide islanders vaccinated under the Government of Jersey vaccination programme with an approved record of their vaccination, which may be used to meet the entry requirements of foreign jurisdictions or other uses. In due course, the scope of the CSC project may include the ability to also record individual history of COVID-19 test results.
The incorporation of vaccination status into the Safer Travel risk assessment process will remain under constant review; this will include the eligibility criteria and implications for those who have not been vaccinated for a number of reasons including age or medical condition.