The Economic Development Minister says he'd like to see Jersey to move to one-metre physical distancing as soon as safely possible, to help local business.
Current rules say people not from the same household must keep two metres apart - despite the World Health Organisation recommending one-metre distancing.
A study published last week found that keeping one metre apart reduces the risk of transmission to 2.6%, while a two-metre gap decreases the chance of infection by a further 50% within the community - to 1.3%.
Senator Lyndon Farnham told Scrutiny he expects Jersey's current advice on physical distancing will be updated in the coming weeks:
"This is not an economic decision, this is a medical decision. The Health Minister will make that decision after taking advice from the medical experts - but I expect that advice to be forthcoming this month, and I'm just saying it would be welcomed by businesses.
"We've seen in reality, two metres is very difficult to maintain in certain circumstances and islanders are doing their level best to achieve that, but in practice, it's not always happening like that, but the important thing is that virus levels remain very low.
The move to just one-metre physical distancing was included in the government's plans for Level 1 of its Safe Exit Framework. Jersey is currently expected to move to Level 2 on Friday:
Level 4: Lockdown
Until Sunday 10th May
Physical Distancing: Keep a two metre distance with people outside your home.
Leaving home: You can go out for up to four hours a day - but only for essential shopping, medical care and outdoor activities.
Gatherings: Household + 2. You can spend time outside with your household and up to two other people. Larger groups and going into others' homes are still not allowed.
Education: All schools and colleges remain closed.
Travel: On-island travel allowed, passenger ferries cancelled and flights only running to Southampton for medical/compassionate reasons or essential work.
Hospitality: Restaurants, bars, pubs and hotels have to stay closed.
Leisure: 'Non-essential' venues have to stay closed.
Retail: 'Essential' shops can remain open as long as physical distancing is maintained. 'Non-essential' shops have to stay closed.
Businesses: 'Essential' work is allowed, but employees should be working from home where possible. Up to two people can work and travel together, as long as physical distancing is maintained.
Level 3: Soft Lockdown
Monday 11th May-Thursday 11th June
Physical Distancing: Keep a two metre distance with people outside your home.
Leaving home: Allowed out for up to six hours a day, but we're advised to stay at home as much as possible.
Gatherings: Household + 5. You can spend time outside with your household and up to five other people. Larger groups and going into others' homes are still not allowed.
Education: Schools reopened from Monday 8th June.
Travel: On-island travel allowed, passenger ferries cancelled and flights only running to Southampton for medical/compassionate reasons or essential work.
Hospitality: Restaurants, pubs and hotels that offer outside eating areas can re-open as long as diners can physically distance themselves. Bars and other drinks-only venues have to stay closed.
Leisure: Some outdoor 'non-essential' attractions can re-open, as long as physical distancing can be maintained.
Retail: 'Essential' shops can remain open as long as physical distancing is maintained. 'Non-essential' shops can begin to re-open as long as they adhere to physical distancing rules.
Businesses: Outdoor work can resume, as long as teams have fewer than five people. Businesses can allow some staff to return to offices in a staged way, but employees should be working from home where possible. Work requiring entry to private homes is now allowed under strict guidelines.
Level 2: Soft Opening
Friday 12th June-Friday 7th August
Physical Distancing: Keep a two metre distance with people outside your home.
Leaving home: Limits and restrictions on going out lifted, but we're advised to stay at home as much as possible.
Gatherings: Household + 20. You can spend time outside with your household and up to 20 other people. Larger groups and going into others' homes are still not allowed.
Education: Schools gradually re-opening from Monday 8th June, starting with years 6, 10 and 12.
Travel: On-island travel allowed. Flights and passenger ferries also allowed as soon as travel routes are re-instated by the operators.
Hospitality: Restaurants, pubs and hotels that offer outside eating areas can re-open as long as diners can physically distance themselves. Bars and other drinks-only venues have to stay closed.
Leisure: Libraries, community centres, youth clubs, places of worship, museums, cinemas, theatres and other attractions can re-open as long as physical distancing can be maintained.
Retail: All shops are allowed to open, as long as physical distancing is maintained.
Businesses: Businesses can allow some staff to return to offices in a staged way, but employees should be working from home where possible. Businesses with proof they are able to physically distance can re-open fully.
Level 1: Physical Distancing
From Saturday 8th August until a vaccine is created
Physical Distancing: Keep a one metre distance with people outside your home.
Leaving home: No restrictions on going out, but we need to keep one metre away from others at all times.
Gatherings: Household + 25. You can spend time outside with your household and up to 25 other people. Larger groups are still not allowed, but groups of up to 10 people are now allowed in private homes.
Education: Schools gradually re-opening from Monday 8th June, starting with years 6, 10 and 12.
Travel: All on and off-island travel is allowed, as soon as travel routes are re-instated by the operators.
Hospitality: All pubs, bars and restaurants are able to re-open, as long as physical distancing is maintained. Hotels, B&Bs and other accomodation can also re-open subject to guidelines.
Leisure: Libraries, community centres, youth clubs, places of worship, museums, cinemas, theatres and other attractions can re-open as long as physical distancing can be maintained.
Retail: All shops are allowed to open, as long as physical distancing is maintained.
Businesses: All staff are now able to return to their regular place of work, as long as physical distancing can be maintained.
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