Unrestricted travel by June 28 'remains our aspiration' says Quayle

Concerns over Indian variant delay Level 2 move

The chief minister says plans to allow unrestricted travel between the Isle of Man and the British Isles by the end of June remains government's goal.

It's as plans to move to level 2 of the border framework today were delayed due to concerns over the spread of the Indian variant of coronavirus in the UK.

Instead, we moved to so-called 'Level 2.5' on Monday, opening up the option of travellers leaving isolation within 48 hours of arrival to the Island - subject to a negative Covid test.

A change to border Level 1 is earmarked in government's Exit Strategy for June 28.

Howard Quayle says: ​‘At every stage we need to find the right balance and will continue to be cautious and consider the data, to protect our island community and our health and care services.

'Equally however we are learning to live with the virus and we must progress through our Exit Framework as endorsed by Tynwald, to restore unrestricted travel between the Island and the rest of the British Isles.'

'That means accepting that there will be further cases when our borders re open but we need to be careful how and when we do this.'

'It is Government’s job to manage that risk and by managing our transition through the Exit Framework, we are doing just that.'
 
'At present there are concerns in the UK which we must keep in mind and if the situation improves further, we will of course reconsider this position.'