Isle of Man ENDS social distancing rules to ‘get society back to normal’ after no new deaths on the island for 22 days
- Isle of Man announces it will drop public social distancing rules from Monday
- Chief Minister Howard Quayle said move was to ‘get society back to normal’
- 24 people have died from a total of 336 confirmed coronavirus cases
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
The Isle of Man has announced it will scrap social distancing rules for the public from Monday following a third week of no new coronavirus cases.
At his daily press conference, Chief Minister Howard Quayle said the decision had been taken to ‘get society back to normal’.
24 people have died from coronavirus out of 336 confirmed cases on the island, but there have been no new cases for 22 days.
The Isle of Man’s Chief Minister Howard Quayle has announced social distancing rules for the public will be scrapped from Monday following a third week of no new coronavirus cases
The changes mean that people will no longer be required to stay two metres apart, and businesses and employees can now return to offices and shops without having to implement social distancing measures.
Rules on social distancing would remain in place for those working in health care and elderly care homes, the chief minister added.
The island’s borders will also remain closed to all non-residents until further notice.
Isle of Man public health said ‘local elimination’ of the disease will be achieved next week, if the Island reaches 28 days with no new cases.
24 people have died from coronavirus out of 336 confirmed cases on the island, but there have been no new cases for 22 days
‘The Isle of Man took decisive action at the start of the crisis, and as a result managed to limit the spread of the Coronavirus,’ said Mr Quayle.
‘We have constantly reviewed restrictions during this time, and as we have had no active cases for over three weeks, the time has come to announce a new set of decisions.
‘We have decided that we are ready to remove any requirement for social distancing from 15th June. We know this is a bold step, but we believe it is the right one at the right time. We know that this will make a real difference to all our lives, and allow our society to come back together and our economy to thrive.
‘Throughout this period we have had a clear and phased plan to lift restrictions, and we will continue to review the situation.’
Mr Quayle added that the 111 helpline will remain in place, and has asked the public to be vigilant for symptoms.
He adds hygiene recommendations will remain in place, like washing your hands regularly.
The Government cases under fire back in April, when a single care home where 11 out of the island’s 15 coronavirus deaths had occurred had its licence suspended.
Its director blamed the government over a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Abbotswood Nursing Home in Ballasalla had its license suspended on April 13 after nearly 40 residents tested positive for coronavirus.
Eleven people are now reported to have died at the home – with six confirmed within a 24 hour alone – while another resident died while being treated at Noble’s Hospital.