Public Health advises on how to celebrate Liberation Day safely and legally.

Public Health Guernsey have issued guidance ahead of the Liberation Day weekend for those who are considering some form of celebration with neighbours or those outside their extended household bubbles.

Firstly, Islanders should continue to stick with the guidance to stay within their household bubbles, which include only two households. These two households can interact at home, without social distancing, but should not go out of the house as an extended bubble. Anyone going out for exercise or recreational activity over the weekend should continue to follow the guidance issued by the States of Guernsey, which can be found here: https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/recreation

Further to this, and conscious that there may be some ‘grey areas’ for those wanting to know if they can celebrate Liberation Day with neighbours from their own gardens or driveways, specific guidance is being issued today.

The guidance makes clear that ‘street parties’ must not be held. If Islanders wish to have garden parties, where members of each household bubble remain within their own garden, they should ensure to observe social distancing of at least 2m with those in neighbouring gardens. Preferably these should be kept to back gardens where there isn’t easy access to other properties.

Dr Nicola Brink, Director of Public Health said: “Sticking with these important public health guidelines will be even harder for some of us on a special day like Liberation Day which we’re so used to celebrating with lots of friends and family around us. But we’ve given so much to get to the stage we’re at in our efforts to counter the COVID-19 pandemic, and we can’t give up those gains now.

"I am concerned that on a day when some islanders will enjoy a drink or two, we may slip a little in observing the guidance and that could be all it takes for the virus to spread, leading to a rise in cases and setting back our exit from lockdown. We really want people to still enjoy the day, which means so much to Islanders, but we ask to think carefully about how they do it and avoid taking any risks.”

A full programme of ‘virtual’ events on 9th May will be shown on the Liberation Day, Statesm of Guernsey and Visit Guernsey Facebook pages and the Liberation Day and Visit Guernsey website. . For more information and the schedule of events, please visit the Liberation Day website at https://www.liberationday.gg/