Travel Requests

Summary

A request for statistics on non-resident travel to the Isle of Man during partial border reopening was partially fulfilled, with specific counts provided for compassionate and contractual travel requests, while data on reasons, countries of residence, and resident departures was withheld as not held.

Key Facts

• 499 compassionate travel requests were granted to non-residents.
• 202 contractual travel requests for people moving to the island were granted.
• The Cabinet Office does not hold information on the top 10 reasons for travel or the countries of residence for non-residents.
• No exemption certificates were issued to non-residents allowing them to enter without self-isolation.
• The decision-making framework for travel requests is available online rather than being provided directly in the response.

Data Disclosed

• 499
• 202
• 5155
• 2020-09-14
• 2020-09-28
• 15 September

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (information already reasonably accessible)
• Information not held by the authority

Original Request

How many travel requests have been granted to non residents since borders re-opened partly? What are the top 10 most common reasons/justifications for travel requests which have been granted to non residents? A list of the countries of residence for non IoM residents having been granted travel to IoM. A copy of the framework used to make decisions on whether or not to grant travel request to non-residents. How many residents have left the island and returned since border restrictions allowed - excluding travellers to Guernsey? How many exemption certificates have been granted to non-residents who do not have to quarantine? A list of the countries of residence for the non-residents who have been granted exemption certificate without quarantine.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

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

Our ref: 1469773 28 September 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which received on 14 September 2020 which states:

"How many travel requests have been granted to non residents since borders re- opened partly? What are the top 10 most common reasons/justifications for travel requests which have been granted to non residents? A list of the countries of residence for non IoM residents having been granted travel to IoM. A copy of the framework used to make decisions on whether or not to grant travel request to non-residents. How many residents have left the island and returned since border restrictions allowed - excluding travellers to Guernsey? How many exemption certificates have been granted to non-residents who do not have to quarantine? A list of the countries of residence for the non-residents who have been granted exemption certificate without quarantine." Our Response: How many travel requests have been granted to non-residents since borders re-opened partly? Our records show 499 compassionate travel requests and 202 contractual (people moving to the Island) have been granted. What are the top 10 most common reasons/justifications for travel requests which have been granted to non-residents? While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet Office does not hold the information that you have requested.

A list of the countries of residence for non IoM residents having been granted travel to IoM. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Cabinet Office does not hold the information that you have requested. A copy of the framework used to make decisions on whether or not to grant travel request to non-residents. Under section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you. This information is available online here: https://covid19.gov.im/media/1285/guidance-concerning-10a-2.pdf. How many residents have left the island and returned since border restrictions allowed - excluding travellers to Guernsey? While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet Office does not hold the information that you have requested as we do not hold information on people leaving the island. However, as of 15 September a total of 5155 landing forms have been completed for people arriving on the Island – although this does not distinguish between resident or non-resident. How many exemption certificates have been granted to non-residents who do not have to quarantine? No exemptions have been issued to non-residents without a requirement to self isolate. Certain key workers, who are considered critical to the maintenance of national infrastructure, the preservation of life, or the recovery of the economy, may enter the island with a modified direction notice. A list of the countries of residence for the non-residents who have been granted exemption certificate without quarantine. No exemptions have been issued to non-residents without a requirement to self isolate. Certain key workers, who are considered critical to the maintenance of national infrastructure, the preservation of life, or the recovery of the economy, may enter the island to work with a modified direction notice. Please quote the reference number 1469773 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