Covid advice

Authority	Cabinet Office
Date received	2020-04-28
Outcome	Not upheld
Outcome date	2020-12-15
Case ID	1275545

Summary

The requester sought all Covid-19 advice and Council of Ministers minutes regarding health, borders, human rights, and schools since January 1, 2020, resulting in a 'Not upheld' outcome with the disclosure of specific papers on childcare risks and border re-entry quarantine protocols.

Key Facts

The request was initially broad but was narrowed to focus on health advice, border closures, human rights, and schools.
Public Health advice indicated that adults under 70 not in the extremely vulnerable group would not face elevated risk providing childcare.
Extending childcare provision for all parents was identified as having the largest economic impact but also the greatest virus transmission risk.
A proposal was made to allow ordinarily resident individuals to return to the Island on a phased basis.
Returnees were required to undergo mandatory 14-day quarantine at a designated facility rather than self-isolating at home due to transmission risks.

Data Disclosed

January 1, 2020
2020-04-28
2020-12-15
27 April 2020
Paper No 2020/156
Paper 2020/123
03/03/2020
14 days
under 70
£500,000

Original Request

"I seek the publication of all Covid-19/coronavirus related advice received and discussed by the Council of Ministers since January 1, 2020, including minutes of all CoMin meetings where this was discussed." We asked you to clarify your request to help us to identify and locate the information that you have asked for, given the broad scope of the request, in particular: Any specific topics, subjects, date ranges and documents in order to narrow the scope and assist in identifying the specific information required to respond to the request. You responded: "What exactly would you like to know beyond this? We just want to request everything. All the advice the Council of Ministers has received and discussed in relation to Covid-19 and the minutes of meetings where it was discussed since January 1. We're a bit stuck as to how much clearer we can be to be honest." We asked again for further clarification as to your request for information as it remained too broad and whether certain areas of the Cabinet Ofifice could be removed from the search such as advice received by Immigration, Office of Human Resources for example. You responded: "I see what you mean yes. Our request would be more specific to health advice, the closing of the border, human rights and schools. I hope this helps." Consolidated, Final FOI Request: "I seek the publication of all Covid-19/coronavirus related advice, specific to health advice, the closing of the border, human rights and schools, received and discussed by the Council of Ministers since January 1, 2020, including minutes of all CoMin meetings where this was discussed."

Data Tables (41)

Department/Board/Office	DoI/DHA/Cabinet Office/DHSC
Chief Officer	Nick Black/Dan Davies
Responsible Officer
Cut ups to be sent to	, Henrietta Ewart

Has appropriate internal and/or public consultation taken place?	Internal
Are there any resource/personnel implications?	Yes
Do you have the statutory vires? (If yes, provide confirmation of the source within ‘Background’)	Yes
Are there any inter-Departmental implications?	Yes
If yes, which other Departments are involved?	DHSC, CabO, DHA, DoI
Major Policy Proposal/Primary Legislation?	No
Have you completed an impact assessment? If yes, please append a copy to this paper	No
If Primary Legislation, has Council Legislation Subcommittee approved the inclusion of the proposed Bill on the legislative programme	Not Applicable
Decision date of the Council Legislation Subcommittee
Does the recommendation have Political approval within the Department/Board/Office?	Yes
Date approval granted	NSG recommended 03/03/2020
Are there any Financial Implications?	Yes
GDPR Implications
Data Protection Impact Assessment undertaken?	No
Detailed evaluation undertaken?	No
Are there any Equality Act Implications? Append a copy of the impact assessment	No
Fund Claim Application? Note that any claims in excess of £500,000 must be accompanied by a CoMin paper and that Treasury will submit the CoMin paper on behalf of the relevant body. Approval will not be confirmed until after CoMin’s decision.	No
Purpose of the Paper: For information: To propose an approach to Council of Ministers to allow people ordinarily resident in the Isle of Man who are currently in the UK to return on a phased basis.

Department/Board/Office	Enterprise
Chief Officer	Mark Lewin
Responsible Officer	Mark Lewin
Cut ups to be sent to	the above
Date of Council Meeting	8th April 2020

Has appropriate internal and/or public consultation taken place?		Not applicable
Are there any resource/personnel implications?			No
Has Treasury concurrence been obtained where necessary?		Not applicable
Is the Department acting within its legal powers or has legal advice been obtained? (If yes confirm and provide evidence within the paper)	Not applicable
Are there any inter-Departmental implications?			Yes
If yes, which other Departments are involved?	All
What is the intention of this paper?	Seek Approval
Primary Legislation: Has Council Legislation Subcommittee approved the inclusion of the proposed Bill on the Legislative Programme. If Yes please give decision date:	No
Major Policy Proposal/Primary Legislation: Have you completed an Impact Assessment? If yes please attach a copy as an Appendix to the paper.	No
Have you taken appropriate Corporate Communications Service advice?	No
Does this initiative/announcement have a communications plan?			Yes
Purpose of the Paper: To seek approval to a proposed framework that allows the Island to respond in the medium term to the issues from CV-19 by finding a balance of sustainable social and economic measures. This proposes a tight border position to be maintained, together with a “lockdown lite” position within the Island, supporting activity within the internal economy to ensure the measures are more sustainable.

Department/Board/Office	Enterprise
Chief Officer	Mark Lewin
Responsible Officer	Mark Lewin
Cut ups to be sent to	Mark Lewin, Kathryn Magson Caldric Randall, Richard Wild
Date of Council Meeting	20th April 2020

Has appropriate internal and/or public consultation taken place?		Not applicable
Are there any resource/personnel implications?			No
Has Treasury concurrence been obtained where necessary?		Not applicable
Is the Department acting within its legal powers or has legal advice been obtained? (If yes confirm and provide evidence within the paper)	Not applicable
Are there any inter-Departmental implications?			Yes
If yes, which other Departments are involved?	All
What is the intention of this paper?	Seek Approval
Primary Legislation: Has Council Legislation Subcommittee approved the inclusion of the proposed Bill on the Legislative Programme. If Yes please give decision date:	No
Major Policy Proposal/Primary Legislation: Have you completed an Impact Assessment? If yes please attach a copy as an Appendix to the paper.	No
Have you taken appropriate Corporate Communications Service advice?	Yes
Does this initiative/announcement have a communications plan?			Yes
Purpose of the Paper: To formally update Council on the work undertaken since the “lockdown lite” paper 2020/129, as summarised in the presentation on 16th April 2020 to Council, and to seek approval to a medium term approach with specific next steps that allows the Island to respond to CV-19 by finding a balance of sustainable social, economic and health mitigations. The initial stage proposes that a tight border position should be maintained alongside other existing public health measures to contain the rate of transmission of the virus and to maintain capability to respond to the pandemic, whilst supporting phased additional activities within society and the internal economy to provide a more sustainable medium term approach.

Department/Board/Office	Cabinet Office & DOI
Chief Officer	Will Greenhow & Nick Black
Responsible Officers	Ste Stanley,
Cut ups to be sent to	Ste Stanley, , Kirsty Hemsley
Date of Council Meeting	23 April 2020

Has appropriate internal and/or public consultation taken place?		Not applicable
Are there any resource/personnel implications?			No
Has Treasury concurrence been obtained where necessary?		Not applicable
Is the Department acting within its legal powers or has legal advice been obtained? (If yes confirm and provide evidence within the paper)	Yes
Are there any inter-Departmental implications?			Yes
If yes, which other Departments are involved?	CO, DOI, DHSC
What is the intention of this paper?	Seek Approval
Primary Legislation: Has Council Legislation Subcommittee approved the inclusion of the proposed Bill on the Legislative Programme. If Yes please give decision date:	No
Major Policy Proposal/Primary Legislation: Have you completed an Impact Assessment? If yes please attach a copy as an Appendix to the paper.	No
Have you taken appropriate Corporate Communications Service advice?	Not applicable
Does this initiative/announcement have a communications plan?		Not applicable
Purpose of the Paper: To seek approval from Council on the approach to issues relating to exemptions to the Island’s current border closure and provide a further update on repatriation.

Department/Board/Office	Cabinet Office
Chief Officer	Will Greenhow
Responsible Officer	Nick Black
Cut ups to be sent to	Mark Lewin, Jon Callister, Jeff Robinson
Date of Council Meeting	27th April 2020

Has appropriate internal and/or public consultation taken place?		Not applicable
Are there any resource/personnel implications?			No
Has Treasury concurrence been obtained where necessary?		Not applicable
Is the Department acting within its legal powers or has legal advice been obtained? (If yes confirm and provide evidence within the paper)	Not applicable
Are there any inter-Departmental implications?			Yes
If yes, which other Departments are involved?	All
What is the intention of this paper?	Seek Approval
Primary Legislation: Has Council Legislation Subcommittee approved the inclusion of the proposed Bill on the Legislative Programme. If Yes please give decision date:	No
Major Policy Proposal/Primary Legislation: Have you completed an Impact Assessment? If yes please attach a copy as an Appendix to the paper.	No
Have you taken appropriate Corporate Communications Service advice?	Yes
Does this initiative/announcement have a communications plan?			Yes
Purpose of the Paper: To update Council on the implementation plan in support of masks for public servants where they request them, in line with the proposed amended public health advice.

Department/Board/Office	Cabinet Office & DOI
Chief Officer	Will Greenhow & Nick Black
Responsible Officers	Ste Stanley,
Cut ups to be sent to	Ste Stanley, , Kirsty Hemsley
Date of Council Meeting	27 April 2020

Has appropriate internal and/or public consultation taken place?		Not applicable
Are there any resource/personnel implications?			No
Has Treasury concurrence been obtained where necessary?		Not applicable
Is the Department acting within its legal powers or has legal advice been obtained? (If yes confirm and provide evidence within the paper)	Yes
Are there any inter-Departmental implications?			Yes
If yes, which other Departments are involved?	CO, DOI, DHSC
What is the intention of this paper?	Seek Approval
Primary Legislation: Has Council Legislation Subcommittee approved the inclusion of the proposed Bill on the Legislative Programme. If Yes please give decision date:	No
Major Policy Proposal/Primary Legislation: Have you completed an Impact Assessment? If yes please attach a copy as an Appendix to the paper.	No
Have you taken appropriate Corporate Communications Service advice?	Not applicable
Does this initiative/announcement have a communications plan?		Not applicable
Purpose of the Paper: To seek approval from Council on the approach to exemptions for residents that work off-Island in roles that are critical to the UK during the Island’s current border closure and a number of other matters concerning the border closure

Department/Board/Office	Cabinet Office
Chief Officer	Will Greenhow
Responsible Officer	Will Greenhow
Cut ups to be sent to	Mark Lewin, Kathryn Magson, Dan Davies, Richard Wild
Date of Council Meeting	30th April 2020

Has appropriate internal and/or public consultation taken place?		Not applicable
Are there any resource/personnel implications?			No
Has Treasury concurrence been obtained where necessary?		Not applicable
Is the Department acting within its legal powers or has legal advice been obtained? (If yes confirm and provide evidence within the paper)	Not applicable
Are there any inter-Departmental implications?			Yes
If yes, which other Departments are involved?	All
What is the intention of this paper?	Seek Approval
Primary Legislation: Has Council Legislation Subcommittee approved the inclusion of the proposed Bill on the Legislative Programme. If Yes please give decision date:	No
Major Policy Proposal/Primary Legislation: Have you completed an Impact Assessment? If yes please attach a copy as an Appendix to the paper.	No
Have you taken appropriate Corporate Communications Service advice?	Yes
Does this initiative/announcement have a communications plan?			Yes
Purpose of the Paper: To provide Council of Ministers with an early view of the potential policy options for recommendation on the 8th May 2020.

Department/Board/Office	Department of Health and Social Care
Chief Officer	Kathryn Magson
Responsible Officer	Kathryn Magson
Cut ups to be sent to	Will Greenhow, Nick Black, Daniel Davies
Date of Council Meeting	30 April 2020

Has appropriate internal and/or public consultation taken place?		Not applicable
Are there any resource/personnel implications?			Yes
Has Treasury concurrence been obtained where necessary?		Not applicable
Is the Department acting within its legal powers or has legal advice been obtained? (If yes confirm and provide evidence within the paper)	Yes
Are there any inter-Departmental implications?			Yes
If yes, which other Departments are involved?	All
What is the intention of this paper?	Seek Approval
Primary Legislation: Has Council Legislation Subcommittee approved the inclusion of the proposed Bill on the Legislative Programme. If Yes please give decision date:	No
Major Policy Proposal/Primary Legislation: Have you completed an Impact Assessment? If yes please attach a copy as an Appendix to the paper.	No
Have you taken appropriate Corporate Communications Service advice?	Yes
Does this initiative/announcement have a communications plan?			Yes
Purpose of the Paper: To update Council on the proposed changes to the process of repatriation for Isle of Man Residents and request Council’s support to the proposed changes.

Department/Board/Office			Infrastructure
Chief Officer			Will Greenhow
Responsible Officer
Cut ups to be sent to
Date of Council Meeting			25th March 2020
Title	Further restrictions on the movement of persons to and on the Isle of Man
*Collective Responsibility: (Mandatory field, please choose an option) Matter of National Importance		*Which of the 3 Government Strategic Objectives does this proposal comply with? Not Applicable		Which of the Council of Ministers Sub- Committees has considered this proposal? Not applicable		The proposal relates only to the Department’s core or statutory responsibilities Not Applicable
Has appropriate internal and/or public consultation taken place?							Not applicable
Are there any resource/personnel implications?								No
Has Treasury concurrence been obtained where necessary?							Not applicable
Is the Department acting within its legal powers or has legal advice been obtained? (If yes confirm and provide evidence within the paper)					Not applicable
Are there any inter-Departmental implications?								No
If yes, which other Departments are involved?					N/A
What is the intention of this paper?					Seek Approval
Primary Legislation: Has Council Legislation Subcommittee approved the inclusion of the proposed Bill on the Legislative Programme. If Yes please give decision date:					No
Major Policy Proposal/Primary Legislation: Have you completed an Impact Assessment? If yes please attach a copy as an Appendix to the paper.					No
Have you taken appropriate Corporate Communications Service advice?					Yes
Does this initiative/announcement have a communications plan?								Yes
Purpose of the Paper: Council is invited to agree that it is content to recommend a range of measures designed to restrict movement to and on the Isle of Man for the purpose of controlling the spread of coronavirus, preserving healthcare resources, preserving public safety and confidence and supporting a controlled and speedy return to normality.




					If at three weeks, the infection rate is no lower there
may be no option but to consider further restrictions. If the infection rate has slowed, then
consideration will be given to relaxing criteria on evidence-led basis.

It is possible to maintain restrictions on non-residents entering the Island with exemptions i
the public interest.

This option is complicated by the substantial predicted numbers of students identified a
returning to the Isle of Man. This group of people presents perceived significantly higher
risk to the population than other groups because of the higher level of social interaction

Meeting Date:	Minute Ref:	Minute Extract(s)
10.03.2020	180/2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Planning Brief	• Council further noted it was imperative that the advice and guidance provided by Public Health England was publicised and adhered to.
12.03.2020	196/2020 – Covid-19 (Coronavirus Update)	• The need for large, clear and accurate public information points and posters at ports and strategic locations, which was being addressed.
12.03.2020	202/2020 – Covid-19 (Coronavirus Update)	• Council agreed that: Isle of Man Government move to the “Delay” phase of planning with immediate effect and maintain that the current position of following the advice issues by Public Health England.
16.03.2020	205/2020 – DHSC Update – current global coronavirus overview, PHE position, DHSC planning, capacity and risk management	• In line with the Public Health England, we are now in the delay phase of our response to COVID-19. • It was clinically considered that the time was right to invite Council to consider appropriate policy responses. • [Interim Chief Executive DHSC] advised that Isle of Man (IOM) modelling, was based on available Public Health information, noting the situation remained fluid and would evolve daily. • Council noted the IOM (like the UK) was using ‘swab testing’. The existence of other testing methods (e.g. those being used in Singapore and South Korea) but noted DHSC advice that these platforms required UK NHS approval and assessment in the first instance and specialist training.
19.03.2020	227/2020 - b) Matters arising from the minutes Monday 16 March 2020	• The CO DHSC advised that the clinical advice remained the same regarding mass gatherings and that such should be

	iii. Cancellation of all mass gatherings	cancelled to support social distancing and the containment and delay response phases.
22.03.2020	244/2020 – DHSC Update	• If no further action was taken, by model scenario day 22 the local ICU would be at maximum capacity before too long. • …the benefit of closing schools and nurseries with minimal provision only for essential workers and the vulnerable. • The clinical recommendation was to cease social gatherings. • Recommended closure of restaurants, bars, and gyms. • Non-essential hospital services would now be at minimal provision, with a focus on emergencies only. • A joint-effort shared Community approach was favoured. • A repeated regular message regarding staying at home and social distancing was requested for rolling broadcast on media outlets.
22.03.2020	245/2020 – Policy Decisions Overview	• Shut borders from 9am (23.03.2020) to all non-Island residents except for 'essential workers', with checks to take place at the sea and airports. • Close Schools to most pupils by 3.30pm (23.03.2020) – with the caveat that high schools and 9 primary schools with Special Education Needs support will remain open to offer care for vulnerable children and those with parents classed as 'key workers' critical to Isle of Man's Covid-19 response.


25.03.2020	259/2020 – Further restrictions on the movement of persons to and on the Isle of Man	• Council noted that at a meeting earlier that day [25 March 2020] the NSG had made a recommendation [Option 1 in the paper] that the Isle of Man close its borders, with effect from 0630 on 27 March 2020, to all but certain exemptions which were vital to maintain the Island’s critical Infrastructure and Health Services. • Council noted that the lockdown would be for an initial period of 21 days, following which a review would be undertaken. • …a medical review of the current situation had concluded that an immediate lockdown of the Island was necessary in order to achieve the overarching objectives in respect of the response to COVID-19. • …that the decision to implement a lockdown was time critical in order to manage a response to and lessen the impact of the virus. • Council discussed the impact of the lockdown, noting that it was likely to result in a significant increase in passenger traffic through ports, and considered whether the situation could be managed, without a lockdown, through a 14 day period of enforced quarantine. • Council noted that due the numbers involved the logistics of implementing a quarantine regime would be complex, challenging and problematic.

		• That the measures be maintained for a period of 21 days at which point it they will be reviewed. • Council considered whether an exception should be applied for golf clubs, to permit golf courses to remain open to support daily exercising. The CO, DHSC advised that such an exception did not align the principle of the lockdown which consisted of both internal and external measures. Council, noting the advice of the CO, DHSC and that all UK golf courses had closed, agreed that all golf courses should close.
27.03.2020	285/2020 – All Island Emergency Speed Limit	• The Minister for Health and Social Care advised that the proposed temporary speed limit was an approach which was fully supported by clinicians. • Council noted that admissions to the Emergency Department at Noble’s Hospital, due to traffic accidents, was continuing and there was a risk that as the roads became quieter during the national emergency that vehicle speeds may increase as would the number of traffic accidents and injuries resulting from such. • The Minister for Health and Social Care reiterated the view of the clinicians in this regard and advised that there had not been a reduction in the number of accidents and injuries caused by road traffic incidents, and that it was imperative that resources and capacity at Noble’s Hospital were available as the situation could change rapidly. • Council noted that if no additional speed restrictions were imposed there was a risk that the health service would be

		• The CO, DHSC advised that whilst the World Health Organisation (“WHO”) was reviewing advice in respect of face masks and a watching brief was being maintained, current public health advice was that the wearing of face masks was of no benefit.
09.04.2020	327/2020 c) Framework for Social & Economic responses to longer term CV-19 measures – ‘Lockdown Lite’	Council noted that clinicians supported a framework based on a phased approach and that no measures would be signalled until the end of the current lockdown period, 23 April 2020.
20.04.2020	359/2020 – Framework for Health, Social & Economic responses to longer term CV-19 measures - “Stay Safe”	b) Recommendation 2 • That Council approves that the following measures must be maintained to minimise the risk of increased transmission: Border controls to continue, with arrivals continuing to be limited to controlled numbers of pre-approved residents, put into quarantine facilities, or limited numbers of pre-approved key workers. • Council noted that it was considered to be too early in the repatriation process to consider revising the current approach and that any changes must be carefully controlled and considered and be aligned to the relevant data to support such. • Council further noted that a stepped approach to increasing the threshold for gatherings was required and that consideration could be given to this in due course, subject to the data supporting this approach.

		• The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture (“the Minister”) advised that due to the low uptake of places at Hub Schools there was capacity to extend the provision beyond the prescribed list and that at present parents were being asked to use their own judgement to determine key worker status. • Council noted that engagement with teaching staff and trade unions was essential in respect of the operation of Hub Schools and prior to any decision being taken regarding the reopening of schools.
27.04.2020	394/2020 – Approach to Issues re Exemptions for Residents working off-Island.	• The CO, DHSC advised that temperature checks could be carried out at ports but that there was no evidence to suggest that arbitrary testing would provide protection from the transmission of the virus.
30.04.2020	403/2020 – Policy Options for Stay Safe Review on 8 May 2020	• Council, noting that the clinical group supported the further consideration of limited gatherings between households based around members of immediate family, discussed such.
30.04.2020	407/2020 – Repatriation move to self-isolation	• The CO, DHSC advised that the review process continued to focus on the UK viral load position; the learning from the previous repatriation journeys; and the current IoM COVID-19 situation report. • that there was no evidence that arbitrary testing of repatriates would provide protection from the transmission of the virus.

Full Response Text

Confidential

Council of Ministers Paper No 2020/156

Meeting 27 April 2020 – COVID-19 Council meeting

Cut-ups to be sent to Dan Davies, Steven Stanley

Childcare measures for COVID19 Stay Safe framework

The Director of Public Health was consulted on the potential risks of such a policy, and responded: Although this evidence is limited, it would suggest that adults under 70 and not in the extremely vulnerable group would not be placed at an elevated risk by providing child care for younger children.

Option 3 – Extend provision for single parents

It clearly does increase the risk profile of transmission but based on public health comments may be an acceptable risk in the balance of social and economic benefits.

Option 4 – extend provision for all parents

This would have the largest economic impact, but also creates the greatest risk in terms of potential virus transmission.

Page 1 of 5

Paper 2020/123

Paper for Council of Ministers

Department/Board/Office DoI/DHA/Cabinet Office/DHSC Chief Officer Nick Black/Dan Davies Responsible Officer

Cut ups to be sent to

, Henrietta Ewart

Title Proposal to ease restrictions for entry to the Island for those who are ordinarily resident

Has appropriate internal and/or public consultation taken place? Internal Are there any resource/personnel implications? Yes Do you have the statutory vires? (If yes, provide confirmation of the source within ‘Background’) Yes Are there any inter-Departmental implications?
Yes If yes, which other Departments are involved?
DHSC, CabO, DHA, DoI Major Policy Proposal/Primary Legislation? No Have you completed an impact assessment? If yes, please append a copy to this paper No If Primary Legislation, has Council Legislation Subcommittee approved the inclusion of the proposed Bill on the legislative programme Not Applicable Decision date of the Council Legislation Subcommittee

Does the recommendation have Political approval within the Department/Board/Office? Yes Date approval granted NSG recommended 03/03/2020 Are there any Financial Implications? Yes GDPR Implications

Data Protection Impact Assessment undertaken? No Detailed evaluation undertaken? No Are there any Equality Act Implications? Append a copy of the impact assessment No Fund Claim Application? Note that any claims in excess of £500,000 must be accompanied by a CoMin paper and that Treasury will submit the CoMin paper on behalf of the relevant body. Approval will not be confirmed until after CoMin’s decision. No Purpose of the Paper:
For information: To propose an approach to Council of Ministers to allow people ordinarily resident in the Isle of Man who are currently in the UK to return on a phased basis.

Page 2 of 5

Page 3 of 5

Any scheme permitting return must ensure that the risks to the community at large are mitigated while providing safe, habitable accommodation which ensures the welfare of those returning for the period of their quarantine. This process must be closely managed and all those returning must agree to abide by the rules set out by the DHSC on the operation of a quarantine facility.

This will enable Government to safely facilitate returns in line with any public health guidance, and minimise the potential impact on health services. It will also create an ongoing process that can be followed, should the border closure be extended.

Because of the additional risk of spread of COVID-19 the previous process of self- isolation restrictions within the person’s home is considered too high risk, instead returnees will be required to undertake mandatory quarantine at a designated facility for 14 days.

Page 4 of 5

Page 5 of 5

i. Public Health Risks The above process enables the Government to manage returns and ensure social distancing and public health guidelines are followed. However, there still remains a risk in a number of returnees developing COVID and requiring health services.

Confidential Page 1 of 15

Council of Ministers Paper No. 2020/129

Paper for Council of Ministers
Routine Business

Department/Board/Office Enterprise Chief Officer Mark Lewin Responsible Officer Mark Lewin Cut ups to be sent to the above Date of Council Meeting
8th April 2020

Title Framework for Social & Economic responses to longer term CV-19 measures - “Lockdown Lite”

*Collective Responsibility: (Mandatory field, please choose an option)

Matter of National Importance *Which of the 3 Government Strategic Objectives does this proposal comply with?

Island of Enterprise & Opportunity Which of the Council of Ministers Sub- Committees has considered this proposal?

National Strategy Group The proposal relates only to the Department’s core or statutory responsibilities

Not Applicable

Has appropriate internal and/or public consultation taken place? Not applicable Are there any resource/personnel implications? No Has Treasury concurrence been obtained where necessary? Not applicable Is the Department acting within its legal powers or has legal advice been obtained? (If yes confirm and provide evidence within the paper) Not applicable Are there any inter-Departmental implications?
Yes If yes, which other Departments are involved?
All What is the intention of this paper?
Seek Approval Primary Legislation: Has Council Legislation Subcommittee approved the inclusion of the proposed Bill on the Legislative Programme. If Yes please give decision date:
No Major Policy Proposal/Primary Legislation:
Have you completed an Impact Assessment? If yes please attach a copy as an Appendix to the paper. No Have you taken appropriate Corporate Communications Service advice?
No Does this initiative/announcement have a communications plan?
Yes Purpose of the Paper:

To seek approval to a proposed framework that allows the Island to respond in the medium term to the issues from CV-19 by finding a balance of sustainable social and economic measures.

This proposes a tight border position to be maintained, together with a “lockdown lite” position within the Island, supporting activity within the internal economy to ensure the measures are more sustainable.

Confidential Page 2 of 15

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Public Health Exit Scenarios

As an input to this piece of work, Public Health have advised that the latest thinking on the exit plans for many countries around the word provided by the European Centre for Disease Control is based around three main options:

1) Maintain stringent measures until a ‘game changer’ is developed, for example a vaccine or a mass produced, sensitive rapid diagnostic test.

2) Apply stringent measures until incidence drops to a certain threshold, then relax measures before reintroducing them before the hospital capacity threshold is reached again.

3) Identify a mix of measures that maintains incidence at slightly below hospital capacity, thereby reducing the overall number of cases, whilst protecting the vulnerable. This framework recognises that 1) is not sustainable in the longer term and focuses on option 3, with regression to 2) only if the situation deteriorates. In doing so parts of the internal economy could be opened up in a phased way where the risks are clearly understood, monitored and mitigated.

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1 http://www.constructionleadershipcouncil.co.uk/news/site-operating-procedures-during-covid-19/ Confidential Page 9 of 15

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Senior Clinical Leadership Team (SCLT) Meeting: 06.04.2020

The DHSC senior clinical leadership team have been considering the issue of sustainability of the current lockdown measures and have endorsed a phased move towards more sustainable measures. Their note from 6th April 2020 is contained below:

“The SCLT are pleased to report, that as a result of the measures put in place by the Government and the public’s response and adherence to those measures, early signs suggest that there has been a significant impact on the spread of Covid 19 infection on the Isle of Man. These are very early days and it is imperative that we continue to hold these measures in place, in line with our previous recommendations, while we monitor the spread of the virus.

We recognise the importance of planning ahead to a time when we may start to relax measures. The SCLT considered the approach and the phasing of relaxation measures. The approach should be aligned, as far as possible, with the following general principles:

• minimal person to person interaction
• ability to maintain 2m social distance
• ability to maintain basic cleaning/ hand washing measures

The identification of business activities that could be restarted from those considered least risk (ie able to comply easily with the general principles) to those that would be highest risk (for example, bars and restaurants) would greatly assist in the decision making process.

In addition to these general principles, it was felt that other factors, such as the estimated number of people involved in those industries, would also be a relevant factor. The overall general compliance with the measures so far would indicate that a gradual and incremental phasing of return to work would be possible, as the public seem to have taken on board the seriousness of the situation. The better the compliance the greater the prospect of a safe and orderly return to normality.

For example people who work alone and have minimal contact with others eg gardeners, horticulturists, green keepers, tree surgeons, exterior painters and decorators, construction trades where people are working outside and not in close contact with others. Public offices where people are able to work from home or social distance when at work.

The phasing of this should be incremental so as to allow the monitoring of the impact and it should be done at a time when we have passed the peak of the curve. With an incubation period of 14 days, it would take approximately 21 days, from the implementation of any change, to see if there had been a resultant increase in hospital admissions. We maintain our position to keep measures in place until 23rd April.

Preservation of Life vs Economic preservation

The balance between the preservation of life against economic preservation is a difficult balance.

The aim of our strategy is to enable everyone access to the treatment and care they need, when they need it, recognising that our health and social care systems have a finite capacity eg staff, beds, ventilators, etc. To achieve this during a pandemic is a balancing act. We will continue to consider this issue and review the position in 1 week.

In an unrestricted society growth rate is 29%, our current growth had been 18% and in the last few days this has been 6.5%. Peak at the moment will occur on 22nd April. This information was correct at 15:00 today. (06.04.20)” Confidential Page 12 of 15

 A quarantine repatriation programme is introduced on a phased bais for residents to commence from 15th April 2020

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Council of Ministers Paper No. 2020/149