Corona

Summary

A request was made for the number of coronavirus tests conducted on the Isle of Man since January 1, 2020. The Department of Health and Social Care refused to provide the data directly, citing that the information was already reasonably accessible via their official website.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 13 February 2020 and responded to on 27 February 2020.
• The authority determined the information was already reasonably accessible to the public.
• The response directed the requester to a specific government webpage for the data.
• The case reference number is 1180749.
• The outcome was classified as 'No information sent - all held but exempt'.

Data Disclosed

• 13 February 2020
• 27 February 2020
• January 1
• 2020
• 1180749

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information reasonably accessible)

Original Request

How many people in the island have been tested for the corona virus since January 1. Clarification received for the exact year - 2020

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Chief Executive: Kathryn Magson Freedom of Information Team Crookall House Demesne Road Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3QA

(01624) 642621 dhsc@foi.gov.im Website: www.gov.im/dhsc

Our ref: 1180749 27 February 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 13 February 2020 and which states:

"How many people in the island have been tested for the corona virus since January 1. Clarification received for the exact year - 2020"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. All of the information that you have requested is available from the link below: https://www.gov.im/categories/health-and-wellbeing/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/ Please quote the reference number 1180749 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on;

1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or
2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
   In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely