NEW THREAD: An hour of COVID-19 Qs is about to begin in @StatesAssembly

Confident opener from Chief Minister
"I hope we are now entering final journey - vaccination is starting. We will be in a much better place in next few weeks."
Hopes most people who need vaccination will get it by Easter.

Samples sent to the UK to identify new strain not returned yet but as previously stated VERY LIKELY new strain of virus seen in South East of UK, is here in Jersey already

Health minister says stopping visitors has allowed vaccinations to get underway. Second vax should be given early Jan and will be in full effect a week later. At THAT time they may be able to consider allowing visitors back into care homes.

Health minister doesn't know how many people had to isolate over xmas due to final week of term contact tracing

Allowing partners to pregnancy scans is 'under consideration'

Minister asked if he will consider reinstating 14 day quarantine for arrivals in light of new strain: He says if new strain appears to behave differently we may reconsider changing quarantine time.
"We will follow science."

@SamMezecJsy says large parts of community felt disregarded by not being allowed gatherings on xmas Eve:
Chief minister says decisions had to be made for benefit of whole community and had to be simple. Had to move quickly and that was advice received from STAC.

Frontline health workers being vaccinated this week. In New Year islanders over 80 will start to be vaccinated.
"There's no timetable set in stone. Depends on when vaccines arrive in the island which depends on manufacture speed."

Dep Tadier says people isolating effectively 'imprisoned' in homes. Asks if relaxation of rules might be considered for people to leave homes for exercise after two neg tests if they distance.
CM: Rules are about minimising spread and need to be simple.

CM: "This is a safe and effective vaccine."
Adds take up of vaccine in care homes was in excess of 90%. There remains risk to those not vaccinated if visitors allowed back but "it is their choice."

Q: What guarantee is there that all over 80s will be contacted for vaccination? Many without internet.
Health minister: There will be a massive campaign - a great deal of publicity will be given. GP practices won't be involved.

Health minister estimates everyone over 50 vaccinated by April or May

Vaccination plan for rest of population not in place yet. That will be considered once more vulnerable groups have been vaccinated.

Mental health services still operating in covid safe way but with greater emphasis on community provision.

As of Xmas Eve
- 25 patients in hospital with Covid-19
- Four in ICU
- 14 admitted for other reasons

No figures update since then.

Health minister says as far as he knows Nightingale Hospital is ready to receive patients - comes after Q about broken heating.

Health minister hasn't visited Nightingale Hospital for several months.
He has confidence in maintenance staff that it is in working order.