Over 1,400 people waiting for test

Union calls for clear government guidance

Following the announcement on New Year's Eve a person tested positive for COVID-19 after completing their 14 days self-isolation, 1,463 people are waiting to be tested.

A number of venues were visited by the individual after their quarantine ended.

No new cases of Coronavirus have been identified in the latest government update and the number of active cases remains at 7 - 6 isolating and 1 in hospital.

Isle of Man Government says the risk to the public remains low but people who visited or works in the locations during the times mentioned are asked to self-isolate and contact 111 if they develop symptoms.

The locations are:

Thursday, 24 December 2020:

9pm to 10pm - the casino at the Best Western Palace Hotel & Casino, Central Promenade

Monday, 28 December 2020:

8.15pm to 9.45pm  -the casino at the Best Western Palace Hotel & Casino, Central Promenade

Tuesday, 29 December 2020:

1pm to 3pm - Robinsons, Cooil Road, Braddan

These areas are in addition to the sites published by the government yesterday, which are as follows: 

Wednesday, 23 December 2020
12:30pm to 1.10pm - A Café, Duke Street, Douglas
7:40pm to 8:40pm - Terrace Chippy, Prospect Terrace, Douglas
 
Thursday, 24 December 2020
7:30pm to 8:30pm - Majestic Chinese Restaurant, Central Promenade, Douglas
 
Saturday, 26 December 2020
11pm to 2am - 1886, Regent Street, Douglas

The Prospect Union is calling on government to immediately issue guidance to its members to ease anxiety.

“Prospect calls on our government to give an urgent update TODAY in order to ease the growing anxiety and increasing number of businesses that are placed in a position whereby they are having to make their own decisions in what they believe to be the public interest.

Nursing Homes, Shops, Restaurants and Swimming Pools making their own decisions on how to act without, it appears, any clear public announcements from Government.

They should be applauded for doing so but it is the Government that should be ‘leading’ from the front NOW AND NOT TOMORROW.”

A number of nursing homes on the Island have closed to visitors as a precaution to residents and staff.

The Northern and Western Swimming Pools have closed until further notice as some staff visited the locations in question.

Several other businesses have closed for the time being including 1886 and Harbour Lights in Peel.