Friday 02 October 2020
As part of the island's first ever election observation mission, a small number of observers had been due to attend to support work to measure the general election against international standards, commitments and obligations as well as domestic laws.
As a result of the changing situation in the UK with recent increases in covid-19 prevalence rates, the decision has been taken not to proceed with this aspect of the mission. The Mission will nonetheless continue virtually.
The decision was taken jointly between the Registrar General of Electors and the international observation team, which had been organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association British Islands and Mediterranean Region.
Due to the global pandemic, the observation team has already conducted a large part of the mission virtually, conducting research and interviews with a wide range of stakeholders.
The small team due to visit would have qualified as 'critical workers' under the States of Guernsey's policy and therefore exempt from self-isolation. While they would have followed all public health guidance, including wearing masks, gloves, maintaining social distancing and being tested daily, the decision not to travel was felt to be the most proportionate in the current circumstances.
