Dec 24, 2020 AN increase in Covid-19 infections in Jersey is ‘almost inevitable’ during the Christmas break, the government’s advisers on tackling the pandemic have warned. Dr Patrick Armstrong, chairman of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell. Picture: JON GUEGAN. (29887741) In a letter to ministers, Dr Patrick Armstrong, chairman of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell, said that this was one of the reasons it was recommended to close all non-essential retail businesses from 6pm today. Other reasons cited included a ‘lack of clarity’ on how the virus was being transmitted in the hospitality sector and households, the high number of cases and the ‘high probability’ that a new highly infectious strain was present in the Island.