While the Isle of Man was able - albeit briefly last week - to proclaim to be Covid-free again - it’s a very different picture in another Crown Dependency.

In Jersey, bars, gyms, restaurants and hotels have been ordered to close for a month, including throughout Christmas, following a worrying spike in infections, with active cases now topping 600.

Wearing of masks in many indoor public places has now become compulsory amid warnings from the Jersey government that the number of active cases in the Channel island could rise to 1,100 by Boxing Day if no action is taken.

That would mean 12,000 islanders, one 10th of the population, having to self-isolate.

Strict new measures were announced during a press conference on December 2. Over the weekend no fewer than 119 new cases were identified, and 109 more since Monday taking the number of active cases to 602 as of Wednesday.

With the R-rate somewhere between 1.4 and 1.9, there is even talk of opening a Nightingale unit at the general hospital in St Helier.

Health Minister Richard Renouf insisted Jersey isn’t in lockdown and there will be no time limit on how long residents can spend outside their homes.

But it’s a far cry from the situation in the Isle of Man where we have not seen a case of community transmission, as defined by the World Health Organisation, since early June. Social distancing measures were lifted on June 15 and there’s no requirement to wear a mask in public.

Life here is relatively normal.

So where did it all gone wrong for Jersey?

The key difference between the two islands has been border controls.

Jersey reopened its borders to non-essential travellers on July 3.

Tourists have been allowed on to the island and all arrivals have the option of being tested at the border, or self-isolating for the full 14 days. In contrast, the Manx border remains closed to non-residents except for key workers and those deemed essential for national infrastructure. A limited number of people have been allowed to travel here on compassionate grounds.

Border controls and the 14-day quarantine policy have been decisive in stopping Covid’s spread.

But luck has played a part, too.

In Jersey, a surge of cases has been linked to a ’super-spreader’ private function at a St Helier hotel.

The hotel in question insisted it complied with coronavirus guidelines, and followed track and trace requirements to help quickly identify contacts.

It says there have been other significant clusters throughout November in both the hospitality and the non-hospitality sectors.

But this shows how things can rapidly go out of control.

There was small cluster of cases here last month linked to individuals who had returned to the island after travelling across.

Fortunately, all contacts were traced and the outbreak contained. Next time, if there is a next time, we might not be so lucky.

Jersey’s rate of testing, per 100,000 population, is higher than countries across Europe. An enhanced workforce screening initiative was launched November, to help identify asymptomatic cases in the community. On-island surveillance testing has increased to more than 6,500 tests per week.

Health Minister David Ashford said: ’Obviously I’m saddened to hear about the measures that our good friends Jersey have had to take in order to control their outbreak particularly at this time of year.

’They have had to take some very tough decisions to try and protect their community.

’Through the measures we have taken, we have managed to keep things under control and can look forward to a relatively normal Christmas here.’