Key workers

Summary

The request sought sector-specific data on exemptions granted under the Emergency Powers Act for key workers to return to the Isle of Man and avoid self-isolation. The Cabinet Office disclosed detailed statistics on travel and self-isolation exemptions issued up to 13 May 2020, clarifying that no quarantine exemptions were issued.

Key Facts

• A total of 501 travel exemptions were issued to key workers by 13 May 2020.
• 399 travel exemptions were granted for personnel vital to critical national infrastructure, primarily transport links.
• 442 self-isolation exemptions were issued by 13 May 2020, with the majority (377) for transportation of essential goods and workers.
• The authority clarified that it does not issue exemptions for quarantine, only for travel and self-isolation.
• Patient transfer exemptions (75) are now certified by the Department of Health and Social Care following legislative revisions.

Data Disclosed

• 501
• 399
• 47
• 12
• 36
• 75
• 442
• 24
• 30
• 377
• 13 May 2020
• 27 April 2020
• 29 May 2020
• 160
• 68
• 63
• 26
• Less than 10
• 0

Original Request

Broken down into sectors, how many exemptions have been granted under the Emergency Powers Act to allow key workers to return to the island. By sectors, yes I was referring to critical national infrastructure, medical expert of professional and/or patient transfers and so on. In particular, I would be grateful if you could please confirm is it exemption for travel, or self-isolation that you require please? An exemption for quarantine please. Self-isolation then please.

Data Tables (4)

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244 Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 1274745 29 May 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 27 April 2020 and which states:

"Broken down into sectors, how many exemptions have been granted under the Emergency Powers Act to allow key workers to return to the island. Which was clarified as follows: By sectors, yes I was referring to critical national infrastructure, medical expert of professional and/or patient transfers and so on. We subsequently clarified with you whether it was figures on exemptions for travel or self-isolation you required. You clarified “An exemption for quarantine please.” We further clarified that we do not issues exemptions to quarantine, we hold information on exemptions from the requirement to self-islolate. You subsequently confirmed “Self-isolation then please."

I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

Question 1: “Broken down into sectors, how many exemptions have been granted under the Emergency Powers Act to allow key workers to return to the island.”
Clarified “By sectors, yes I was referring to critical national infrastructure, medical expert of professional and/or patient transfers and so on.” The table below shows the total number of travel exemptions issued to 13 May 2020: Description (as at close of business 13th May 2020) Total Number of travel exemptions issued A person who the Department of Infrastructure has certified is vital to the Island’s critical national infrastructure 399

A person who the Department of Health and Social Care has certified is a medical expert or professional whose skills are essential to the Island’s medical infrastructure and the health of its community 47 the Department of Health and Social Care has certified is a supplier of goods or services that are essential for the Island’s infrastructure or the health of its community 12 the Department of Home Affairs has certified is a police officer or a fire officer employed by that Department or in respect of whom an offer of employment as a police officer or a fire officer in that Department has been made Less than 10 Exempted by Council of Ministers or Chief Secretary 36 Total 501 With respect to the number of exemptions that have been issued for critical national infrastructure, the high numbers relate to maintaining the Island’s lifeline transport links which need larger numbers of staff members, often working shifts and rotas (with the likes of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (at least 160 exemptions), LoganAir (at least 68 exemptions), West Atlantic (at least 63 exemptions) and Mezeron (at least 26 exemptions)). In addition this exemption covers the likes of engineers and delivery drivers coming to the Island to deliver vital supplies or fix critical infrastructure; for example the key workers who commissioned the new oxygen generating plant at the hospital. The table below shows the total number of exemptions issued to patient transfers to 13 May 2020: Description (as at close of business 13 May 2020) Total number of travel exemptions issued a person who the Department of Health and Social Care has certified as returning to the Island after having undergone essential medical treatment 75 The information above is that held by the Cabinet Office, subsequent revisions to the relevant legislation means that the Department of Health and Social Care now certify patient transfer exemptions. As part of this administration’s commitment to transparency, we will shortly be publishing these statistics regularly as part of the series of open data on Government’s COVID-19 website https://covid19.gov.im/open-data/ Question 2: “In particular, I would be grateful if you could please confirm is it exemption for travel, or self-isolation that you require please?
Clarified Requestor commented in reply - An exemption for quarantine please.

Clarified We do not hold information on exemptions to quarantine. We hold information on self- isolation or travel. Please confirm which of these it is that you are requesting under the Act?" Clarified Requester commented in reply - Self isolation then. The table below shows the total number of self-isolation exemptions issued to 13 May 2020. Category (as at close of business 13th May 2020) Total Number of Self Isolation Exemptions Issued (a) Healthcare worker 24 (b) Children & Young Persons Act 2001 0 (c) IOM Ports personnel Less than 10 (d) Essential Public Utilities / Services 30 (e) Transportation of essential goods/workers 377 (f) Emergency Services personnel Less than 10 (g) Judiary (including tribunals) 0 (h) General Registry / Courts personnel 0 (i) Logistical (including postal) Less than 10 (j) Other (see Regulations 11 (1) & (2)) Less than 10 Total 442 Please quote the reference number 1274745 in any future communications.

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I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely