Essential Workers

Summary

A request was made for statistics on overseas essential workers in the Isle of Man over the last six months, including testing data, length of stay, and duration of visits. The Cabinet Office disclosed the number of approved applications and average stay duration but confirmed it did not hold data regarding pre-arrival COVID testing.

Key Facts

• There were 1,390 approved applications for key workers from overseas up to 14 October 2020.
• The Cabinet Office does not hold information on how many workers were tested for Covid prior to arrival.
• The average length of stay for a key worker is 23 days.
• The average stay figure is inflated by Department of Health and Social Care workers staying for extended periods.
• 618 applications were approved for essential workers to stay on the island for more than 7 days.

Data Disclosed

• 1390
• 23 days
• 618
• 14 October 2020
• 16 October 2020
• 7 days

Original Request

Dear Sirs, During the last 6 months how many essential workers have been employed by the Isle of Man from overseas and of that number what workers are tested for Covid prior to arriving at the Isle of Man? And what is the average length of stay of those essential workers? Lastly of these essential workers how many stay on island for more than 7 days at a time?

Data Tables (2)

Full Response Text

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

Our ref: 1515529 16 October 2020

Dear ###

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

"Dear Sirs, During the last 6 months how many essential workers have been employed by the Isle of Man from overseas and of that number what workers are tested for Covid prior to arriving at the Isle of Man? And what is the average length of stay of those essential workers? Lastly of these essential workers how many stay on island for more than 7 days at a time?"

Please find below the information requested. During the last 6 months how many essential workers have been employed by the Isle of Man from overseas; There have been 1390 approved applications for key workers, as defined by the Entry Restriction Regulations up to 14 October 2020.

…of that number what workers are tested for Covid prior to arriving at the Isle of Man While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet Office does not hold the information that you have requested. And what is the average length of stay of those essential workers?
The average length of stay for a key worker is 23 days. However it is important to note that this number is inflated the inclusion of workers for the Department of Health and Social Care who stay for extended periods of time Lastly of these essential workers how many stay on island for more than 7 days at a time?
618 applications were approved for essential workers to stay on island for more than 7 days

Please quote the reference number 1515529 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