What Happened and Why?

Tynwald will be asked next month to agree the overall remit of the investigation into the previous administration’s actions in response to covid.

The review, that isn’t an inquiry, into the gov’s handling of the pandemic will explore a wide range of topics. 

While the Public Accounts Committee originally said the review should be done by way of a full public inquiry, Tynwald agreed this would take too long and be too costly, so instead decided to form an independent review.

That review will be chaired by someone independent of the gov who will be able to call people to give evidence. Tynwald has already agreed to waive privilege in relation to any evidence relating to the Covid-19 pandemic held by the Public Accounts Committee and Tynwald Policy Review Committees up to November 16 2021 when the original resolution was passed by Tynwald.

It has been agreed between the gov and the Tynwald Public Accounts Committee that the review will look at: 

• Circumstances and decisions leading to the Proclamation of Emergency, Emergency Powers and the use of legal restrictions under the Emergency Powers Act 1936, together with the Public Health Act 1990, and any restrictions in the areas listed below
•  Border closures and subsequent restrictions
•  Education provision as a result of school closure
•  Government quarantine requirements imposed for returning residents
•  Loss of life as a result of Covid-19
•  Benefit provision for self-employed persons and businesses, and the broader economic recovery
  and support schemes provided
•  Individual and household isolation in relation to positive cases and close contacts
•  Testing in relation to symptomatic cases, close contacts and following travel
•  Contact Tracing in relation to positive cases and how it was conducted
•  Vaccination governance and roll out
•  Preparedness for the outbreak of a pandemic
•  Genomic sequencing for positive cases
•  Communications – internally to government and Tynwald, and externally to the public
•  Command structures and decision making processes
•  February 2021 Covid-19 Outbreak and its relation to the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (IOMSPC), to the extent not already covered by the Public Accounts Committee’s 2020-21 Annual Report (PP 2021/0166).

If at any time the Chairperson conducting the review is of the view that a specific area should be subject to a more formal public inquiry, the Chair may make such a recommendation to Tynwald in their report.

A final report will be published by December 31 2023. However, progress or interim reports may be presented as the Chairperson shall consider appropriate throughout the process of the Review.