All Omicron positive cases and direct contacts in Jersey can now exercise outdoors for two hours during their ten-day isolation.

Ministers have u-turned following heavy criticism over the last 24 hours.

The isolation with no exercise for Omicron is draconian and makes no sense is current environment where O will be dominant in days or weeks and no border tests. All it will do is discourage people from testing and stress them out before Christmas. It needs to change.

— Dominic Jones (@DominicCJones) December 16, 2021

I’ve asked the Bailiff if I might ask an urgent question about this today https://t.co/oawj2jusDb

— Kristina Moore (@Moore4Jersey) December 17, 2021

"Following discussions across the Government, Ministers have agreed that in the light of the current resilience of our healthcare services, and having considered the overall impact on Islander’s mental and physical wellbeing, all Omicron positive cases and Direct Contacts of an Omicron positive case should be permitted to take 2 hours daily outdoors exercise, during the period of their isolation.

This means that all Omicron positive cases and Direct Contacts of Omicron cases, who are currently isolating for 10 days from contact with a positive case, can now take 2 hours outside for daily exercise."

It was confirmed yesterday (16 December) that Jersey had fewer than five cases of the Omicron variant.

Omicron cases and direct contacts have to isolate for ten days.

In a letter sent to the Chamber of Commerce, Senator Lyndon Farnham has revealed that the requirement for Omicron direct contacts to isolate for ten days is due to be scrapped.

Pleased to see @lyndonfarnham responding quickly to our requests for support from @jerseychamber members. pic.twitter.com/nMb2n5if47

— Jersey Chamber (@jerseychamber) December 17, 2021

"Ministers have asked STAC to review the overarching policy on Omicron Direct Contacts on Monday 20 December, and further updates will be provided next week."

The government told Channel 103 yesterday (16 December) that there is an opportunity to slow the spread of the Omicron Covid variant to get more people vaccinated, by enforcing isolation.