Quayle apologises over Steam Packet isolation rules

Chief Minister, Howard Quayle MHK, has apologised for 'missed opportunities' to clarify self-isolation rules for Steam Packet company crew members.

Mr Quayle gave a statement in the House of Keys earlier today around an independent report into the Covid-19 outbreak amongst Manx-based Steam Packet crew back in February.

A series of recommendations were made in the report to improve the system going forward and highlighted a number of improvements had also been made since the outbreak.

Among the recommendations are carrying out regular multi-agency meetings to review Steam Packet Covid management risks and for the company to implement an internal audit of its Coronavirus risk management mitigations.

The findings have also now been referred to the Isle of Man Ship Registry which will consider whether any further investigations need to be carried out.

Addressing members, Mr Quayle said: "The review recognises that a number of the recommendations for improvement made in the report are already in place and provides positive confirmation of their effectiveness. I will of course ensure that we see through any actions required by government.

"Honourable Members, this is an extensive, thorough report but I accept that there remain unanswered questions - and issues which are for others to answer. It is not for me to pre-empt any other agency looking into areas for which they have responsibility to regulate.

"The review has however brought clarity through being focused solely on this issue, carefully examining events as they unfolded throughout the pandemic.

"We will learn from this episode and continue to do our utmost to protect our community."