US ruling a 'wake up call' for IoM ministers

An MHK has hit out about the lack of government action to control the spread of COVID-19.

There is growing frustration about the lack of government rules to control the spread of COVID-19 on the island.

The latest data (3 August) shows there is currently 1,231 cases of coronavirus on the island with 18 people in hospital and 2 in ICU.

In addition, the United States recently placed the Isle of Man on a red list of travel areas saying Americans are not advised to travel here because of infection rates.

MHK Jason Moorhouse said he hopes the US ruling will be a "wake-up call" to the Council of Ministers.

He is calling for the Council of Ministers to reintroduce border testing for all arrivals and self isolation for whole households (when there is a positive case) as soon as possible.

Although the rate of new infections has slowed recently, the government is now strongly advising that people on the Isle of Man wear face masks in crowded and enclosed places.

Health Minister David Ashford said government action in response to the pandemic would be dependent on pressures on the health service.