COVID-19 pandemic in the Isle of Man
The COVID-19 pandemic in the Isle of Man is part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The virus was confirmed to have reached the British crown dependency of the Isle of Man on 19 March 2020, when a man returning from Spain via Liverpool tested positive. Community transmission was first confirmed on 22 March on the island. As of 3 June, there have been 336 confirmed cases, of which 312 have presumably recovered and 24 have died. There are currently no known active cases on the island.
The government announced the closure of the island's borders and ports to new arrivals starting on 27 March, with the exception of freight and key workers.
Background
On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003, but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll. From 19 March, Public Health England no longer classified COVID-19 as a "High consequence infectious disease".
Timeline
January 2020
The Manx government said that the "risk to the public is low" and that the island is "ready to respond to the Wuhan novel coronavirus should a potential case of the disease arrive here."March 2020
In March, the Manx government again said that the risk to the public was "moderate to low". Despite the government downplaying the risk, hand sanitiser was sold out in shops.The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have spread to the Isle of Man when the first case on the island was confirmed on 19 March. The patient had returned from a trip to Spain four days previously, via a flight through Liverpool. On 26 March, two COVID-19 patients were admitted to Noble's Hospital.
At the end of 26 March, the Isle of Man Government started to "require everyone to stay at home except for limited reasons", several days after the United Kingdom imposed similar restrictions.
April 2020
On 1 April, Chief Minister Howard Quayle announced the first COVID-19-related death on the Isle of Man. On 6 April, 12 cases were reported and 6 people were receiving treatment in Noble's Hospital.On 15 April, the Department of Health and Social Care announced it had taken over the running of one of the island's major care homes, Abbotswood Care Home, "for the safety of its residents".
On 18 April, Health Minister David Ashford confirmed that there had been two deaths that day in care homes – the first recorded deaths on the island outside of hospital – and that there were 37 confirmed cases at the Abbotswood Care Home. 11 people were being treated in hospital and a total of 2,319 test results had been received, with 296 testing positive, of whom 12 were under 20 years of age and 74 over the age of 65.
On 23 April, a minor change to the lockdown rules was made allowing people to be outside their houses for as long as they liked, provided they were only with members of their own household.
From 24 April, builders, tradespersons and landscape gardeners were permitted to return to work, subject to social distancing.
May 2020
Garden centres opened from 11 May, and some non-essential shops and other retail businesses were allowed to open from Monday 18 May. The last case diagnosed was on 20 May.June 2020
On 3 June, it was announced that there were no active cases. From 15 June, gatherings of up to 30 people were permitted, restaurants, pubs and cafes were allowed to serve food and gyms were partially opened. On 11 June, it was announced that from 15 June restrictions on social distancing were to be lifted except in health and care environments.On 25 June, it was announced that an "air-bridge" run by Aurigny would open in July to allow travel between the Isle of Man and Guernsey without quarantine restrictions.
July 2020
Starting on 6 July, people on the island who feel ill are no longer required by law to self isolate for 14 days; the isolation period will be reduced until the test result is obtained and if negative, there will be no need to continue isolating.Testing
The first test results were received on 17 March 2020; by 31 March, there had been 60 positive and 853 negative tests. By 30 April, this had increased to 315 positive and 2,764 negative tests. On 31 May, the totals had risen to 336 positive and 4,510 negative tests. On 22 June, the number of tests undertaken passed 6,000.A drive through Covid-19 testing facility opened on 20 March at the TT Grandstand. A blood test looking for antibodies was later set up to better understand the virus and its effect on the population. The Isle of Man Government set up its own testing facility on 20 April with a capacity for 200 tests per day with a 24 hour turnaround.
Social impact
Events
The Isle of Man Department for Enterprise on 16 March 2020 formally announced the cancellation of the 2020 Isle of Man TT motor-cycle races, planned to be held between 30 May and 11 June 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The traditional annual July open-air sitting of Tynwald, after the threat of cancellation due to the COVID-19 outbreak, was held at St. John's on Monday 6 July 2020, but the event was scaled back in size and the Summer Tynwald Fair was cancelled. The petitions of redress from members of the public had to be submitted prior to the event.
Sport
The Pre-TT Classic Races were cancelled on Monday 16 March 2020 along with Southern 100 motor-cycle races, and the Post-TT races were cancelled on Wednesday 18 March 2020. The Clerk of the Course cancelled the Manx National Rally due to be held on 15–16 May 2020 organised by Manx Autosport and the Manx Motor Racing Club cancelled the Manx Classic Hill Climb event. The Easter Festival of Running was also cancelled along with the Manx Mountain Marathon fell race.The Isle of Man's largest community sporting event, the 85 mile Parish Walk, due to be held on Saturday 20 June 2020, was cancelled by the race director on 23 March. The English Football Association instructed the Isle of Man Football Association on 27 March to declare both senior and junior football competitions null and void for the 2019–2020 season. The Douglas football club St Marys A.F.C. held a six point lead at the top of the Isle of Man Premier football league at the date of cancellation.
The Isle of Man Department of Enterprise and the Manx Motor-Cycle Club announced on Monday 4 May 2020 the cancellation of the 2020 Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling including the Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT motor-cycle races.
F.C. Isle of Man host Guernsey FC whilst Guernsey RFC host Douglas R.U.F.C. teams in Guernsey on 15 August using the air-bridge flights.
Response
Measures introduced in the Isle of Man to protect against the virus included mandatory 14-day self-isolation for anyone travelling to the island, and increased testing for the virus. The government announced that Manx borders would close to non-residents at 9 am on 23 March 2020. The government confirmed via Twitter that all schools on the island would be closed by the end of 23 March 2020.On 27 March 2020, the government closed its borders and ports except for key workers, and banned public gatherings of more than two people unless from the same household.
After 15 April 2020, Isle of Man residents living overseas who wished to return to the island would be able to obtain a permit to sail back on designated sailings once a week, subject to 14 days quarantine on arrival.
Relief and assistance
Mortgage repayment holidays of up to three months made available to residents from the seven Island banks.An Isle of Man Loan Guarantee Agreement for local businesses with a turnover of up to £10m, loans of £5,000 to £5m for terms of up to 10 years. Limited to £60m in total.