Health Minister Chris Fearne has announced a number of new measures which, he said are aimed at reducing the spread of coronaviris, as well as protect the vulnerable in society.

The first of the measures is that the Police will have the power to disperse groups of over 5 people to ensure that they are at least 2 metres apart.

Dr Fearne said that it had been noted that some people had still been gathering in public, even after being advised not to.

Another measure is for those persons aged over 65, as well as anyone under 65 who have serious health-related conditions (under 65s who are affected will be notified by post) which will come in effect from Saturday, disallows in their entirety, these two categories of persons from leaving their homes.

The persons who are 65 years or older, as well as persons with chronic illnesses;

These include: diabetic persons who are dependent on insulin, persons on biological medicines, persons who are facing or who have faced cancer or chemotherapy in the last 6 months, persons undergoing immunosuppression such as persons who have had a transplant, persons who have HIV, persons on dialysis, pregnant women, persons who have respiratory illnesses and who were admitted to hospital in the last year, persons with heart illnesses who have had a medical intervention in the last 6 months, persons who attend the heart failure clinic, and all persons on oral steroids.

The Health Minister said that these two categories amount to more than 118,000 persons who “must stay at home under all circumstances.”

Whoever of these persons is in employment must not go to work either, and will be offered special quarantine leave, he said.

The only exception for these persons to be able to leave their homes is for medical appointments and emergencies, or on obtaining permission from the Superintendent for Public Health.

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