Covid-19

Unite the Union has said the gov’s comments about safety measures on its buses ‘are not done with sincerity’.  Regional Officer Debbie Halsall was responding to comments made by Bus Vannin earlier today. She has said that drivers were told to clean down buses themselves and that Bus Vannin management […]

Bus Vannin says it ‘remains committed to the safety of its passengers and staff’ as up to half of Manx bus drivers are believed to be isolating following an outbreak of Covid-19 amongst staff. The statement from Bus Vannin contradicts claims made by Unite the Union and several drivers as […]

People are being asked to avoid taking unnecessary risks when exercising in the countryside after three cyclists required hospital treatment due to separate accidents recently. The emergency services were called into action on each occasion with the inaccessible locations including coastal paths and plantations making rescue attempts more challenging. All […]

Adults who live alone and lone parents and their children can now “team-up” with one other household when they feel they need support. CoMin agreed the change yesterday following the announcement that the current COVID-19 measures will stay in place until at least 6 April.  A person living on their […]

The Environment and Infrastructure Policy Review Committee – Prom Scheme Tim Baker DOI Minister  Nick Black CEO DOI Main scheme delayed by January lockdown and ongoing circuit breaker ‘Need to focus in the main job and get that finished’ November feasible time to look at the Horse Tram  The people […]

Further measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus at the prison have been put in place after two officers tested positive for Covid-19. Both individuals are self-isolating with their households and the contact tracing team is in touch with members of staff who had been their close contacts.   The […]

One of  Ramsey Town Commissioners’ refuse collection teams are self-isolating after a positive Covid-19 test.  One member of the team developed symptoms and subsequently tested positive for the virus.  The other two crew members in the working “bubble” have been contact-traced, advised to self-isolate, and will also be tested.   Due […]

The gov has revised the rules around exercise for people who are in certain types of self-isolation. The review reflects the challenges some people could face where the virus spreads amongst members of a household, resulting in the self-isolation period resetting with each new case, and therefore lasting for a […]

People are reporting they have been turned away from the Chester Street vaccine hub, despite having an appointment for their second jabs. Second doses at the Chester Street hub were moved back from their original dates, with the DHSC saying those affected were sent letters confirming this. However, some people […]

Members of the public who have received an invitation letter, can now register for their COVID-19 vaccination online via covid19.gov.im/vaccine. People will then receive either an email, letter or phone call to confirm their vaccine appointments. The online form, which Gef called for last week when it became clear that […]

Manx students will not sit regular exams this year, with GCSE and A-Level grades to be determined by way of school assessed grades. It had already been confirmed that students across the UK would not be sitting summer exams, but the situation for Manx students was less clear as the […]

Anyone with symptoms is asked to contact 111 immediately. Do not assume the symptoms are something else.   The Contact Tracing team are continuing to work tirelessly through the significant number of close contacts of those who test positive for the virus. They are asking people to be patient whilst the […]

Cases of Covid-19 have continued to rise on the island and six people are now being treated in hospital. A further 81 cases were confirmed after testing on Saturday meaning the total number of active cases now stands at 315. More than 1,000 people are currently in self-isolation – with […]

Hub schools, nurseries and childminders will not reopen on Monday. The Council of Ministers have reviewed the situation this morning, and have made the decision to extend the firebreak closure of schools, nurseries and childminders to help stop the spread of the virus, particularly amongst the Island’s young people.  There […]

Five people are receiving treatment in hospital for Covid-19 related illnesses as cases of Covid-19 continue to rise on the island. A further 71 cases were confirmed on Friday meaning the total number of active cases now stands at 234. More than 1,000 people are currently in self-isolation – with […]

GPs have been asked to continue providing cervical screening services, with enhanced safety measures in place to protect patients and staff.   The Director of Public Health and the DHSC have confirmed that the procedure can continue to be offered safely, with mitigations to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission.  It […]

A post on a GP’s Facebook page has said that smear tests can continue in general practice. Ramsey Group Practice has said: ‘We are pleased to announce we have just had word from Head of Primary Care that cervical screening can continue in general practice. We cancelled all our patients […]

New measures have been introduced within the Primary Care sector to further protect patients, staff and the wider public as a result of the increase in positive Covid-19 cases.  With immediate effect: Dentists will be able to provide advice, and prescribe analgesia (pain relief) and antibiotics to patients as required, but […]

All of the island’s schools are to close to all children, including those who are considered vulnerable or are the children of key workers. A gov statement said: ‘‘Given a growing number of COVID-19 cases on the Island, particularly amongst children, all of the Island’s schools, nurseries and childminders will […]

The Western Swimming Pool has had confirmation from contact tracing that a customer in one of our organised session on the evening of March 1st between 5.30-6.430pm has tested positive for Covid-19. 111 contact tracing is in place and we have provided all necessary information for other customers within this […]

People invited to register for a vaccination are being asked to delay calling 111 until Saturday 6 March.  The 111 service is experiencing an unprecedented volume of incoming calls at present, and as a result some cannot be answered. To avoid people waiting on the line or making repeated calls, those […]

Parents of children who normally get free school meals will again receive vouchers to spend on essential groceries during the circuit break lockdown. Schools and nurseries are now closed to the majority of students although the most vulnerable and children of essential workers can still attend. The Free School Meal […]

Everyone who attended an event at the Hydro Hotel last month is required to isolate for three weeks. Gef has tonight seen an email which says that two people who attended ‘The Long Tall Shankies, Manavia and Dusty Plankton’ show on Feb 26 have since tested positive for Covid-19. An […]

Health Minister David Ashford says the island has wasted very few Covid-19 vaccines, but 15 were thrown away in a single day as no one could be found to take them. Mr Ashford was asked by Lawrie Hooper MHK what the island’s protocol is for surplus vaccine doses and how […]

Ferries Union RMT has said its members and other ferry crews are not to blame for the island’s latest lockdown. The union has today responded to the Isle of Man Government’s decision to introduce a 21-day ‘circuit breaker’ lock down in response to a rise in Coronavirus cases. RMT General […]

The vaccination programme will continue as planned during the latest circuit break lockdown, with additional measures in place to protect staff and patients. Invitation letters will be sent from this week to the next priority group for vaccination – residents aged between 65 and 70. It comes as the final […]

Two new locations have been identified which could pose a low risk of contracting COVID-19 for people who visited at specific times. The locations and times are as follows: Friday 26 February 2021 Tesco, Lake Road, Douglas from 8:00am to 8:50am Kensington Group Practice, Westmoreland Road, Douglas from 10:45am to […]