Tuesday 07 April 2020
During these unprecedented times HSC is aware that local children still need certainty about the things that are important to them and their families. This was acknowledged by the New Zealand Prime Minister in her announcement yesterday.
In response to questions that have been asked by children over recent weeks, Deputy Heidi Soulsby, HSC President has liaised with the Director of Public Health to provided clarity on which type of workers are classed as essential.
Deputy Soulsby said:
'Essential workers are described as those who carry out roles that are essential to the Islands ability to maintain critical services.
Some of you have contacted myself and Dr Brink as you are worried that there will be no Easter egg hunts and the Tooth Fairy will not be able to collect any teeth that have fallen out.
I am very happy to tell you that the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy are considered to be essential workers"
The Easter Bunny will, therefore, be able to visit children in the Bailiwick on Easter Sunday but Dr Brink has advised that any Easter egg hunts can only happen at home with the people living in your home.
One local parent who contact Dr Brink to seek reassurance said:
'My two, Isaac and Claudia, would be very reassured to know that the Easter Bunny has been given special clearance to arrive in Guernsey at the weekend.'
The Tooth Fairy can continue to make essential visits to Children's houses to collect any teeth that have fallen out during the current lock-down period.
Both the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy are fully briefed by Public Health Services to ensure all infection prevention and control measures are in place for these visits to take place.
Deputy Soulsby said:
'It is important during times of increased anxiety that we still see humour and fun in life where we can. With the Easter weekend coming up we need to recognise that life continues for our children, albeit in a different way, and the Bailiwick's community spirit is still strong.'