Government accepts Covid handling review findings

The review covered the period between December 2019 and April 2022

The Manx government has accepted all of the recommendations put forward by an independent review into its handling of the coronavirus pandemic in principle.

Kate Brunner KC's review, which was published in January, found the overall response was "largely successful" but there had been "areas of weakness".

The 31 recommendations have now been accepted by the Council of Ministers subject to a "more detailed assessment of financial and resourcing implications", Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said.

Ms Brunner's report and the government's initial reaction are set to be debated by Tynwald members later this month.

The review's recommendations included the development and funding of a Covid recovery strategy for children affected and the creation of a revised Infectious Disease Pandemic Plan.

In its response the Council of Ministers said work was already underway to implement some of the suggestions.

Mr Cannan said after the review concluded that the Emergency Planning Unit in the Department of Home Affairs had "low capacity and low resilience" it was "clear" work was needed to improve the island’s approach new policies were being drafted by the department.

'Difficulties experienced'

The government's response confirmed the Major Incident Response plan had been updated to reflect the review's findings, which included a need for greater clarity on the governance of political decision making.

It also recognised "the difficulties experienced" by those forced into quarantine at the Comis Hotel and said the Treasury would be asked to review refund options.

In response to Ms Brunner's finding that urgent action was needed to ensure that the oxygen supply at Noble's Hospital was secure and could be expanded if needed, the government said a 2022 quote of £805,000 for back up equipment would be subject to a full appraisal of options

Mr Cannan said the review had been "essential to ensure lessons are learnt" and a further detailed response would be published in July.