Permits allowing some construction sites to stay open will be introduced next week.

The Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, announced the scheme earlier this week - saying it will 'take a little time' to get up and running.

At the same time, building contractors were told to prepare to close at 6pm today.

Deputy Chief Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham, says the government has to do all it can to mitigate the effects of the virus:

"Our priority is to stop the spread of coronavirus, and the construction industry has its part to play. The payroll co-funding scheme has been extended to cover the industry so that we can support jobs in the sector throughout the crisis."

The closure doesn't just apply to building sites, but all construction work.

Permits allowing some work to resume will start being issued from next week, split into three categories:

Category A: sites which provide critical national infrastructure and services which keep the Island’s residents and the environment safe and secure. These sites and working areas include:

• critical maintenance of sewerage, sea defence, roads, telecommunications, gas, water, harbours and airport, electricity generation and supply
• emergency maintenance of the public estate including health, education and all publicly-owned assets
• emergency maintenance of all the parish estates
• emergency maintenance of public and private assets that support the Island

Category B: sites and services which provide services to the public which can operate safely in accordance with the site operating procedures. They include Les Quennevais School and the Sewage Treatment Works.

Category C: all other sites and services which are currently operating and can operate safely in accordance with the site operating procedures.

The Government says a few Category A projects deemed vital to Jersey's infrastructure will receive permits immediately - including hospital refurbishment, sea wall repairs and work on the Energy Recovery Facility boiler.

Senator Farnham explains more about the process:

"Medical advice is that only sites providing critical national infrastructure and services which keep the Island’s residents and the environment safe and secure should continue, provided that they meet the standards expected.

"It’s accepted that it can be difficult to apply social distancing on building sites, and I would expect the experience derived from these Category A sites to be used to determine the quality and control practices needed for other sites to receive a permit to reopen."