Mandatory mask wearing rule to be scrapped

Government relaxing restrictions from tomorrow

Mandatory mask wearing on public transport and in health and social care settings on the Isle of Man is being scrapped.

Government has confirmed there will be no legal requirement to wear one from 00.01 tomorrow (Saturday, 22 January).

It follows a significant reduction in the number of cases of Coronavirus recorded on the Island.

It signals a return to level one of the Covid-19 winter framework and means face coverings are no longer ‘expected’ but are still ‘strongly recommended’.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said: “All indicators point to our Omicron wave having peaked in early January with case numbers reducing significantly over recent days. 

“Whilst COVID-19 has not gone away the reduction in case numbers means the Council of Ministers has been able to review the situation here on-Island. 

“We said we would only keep additional measures in place as long as they were necessary and in light of the reduced threat of high case numbers the Council of Ministers feels the time is right to adjust our response accordingly.”

Manx Care says despite the legal change it will retain a policy of requiring anyone who visits health and social care facilities to wear a medical-grade face mask which will be provided on arrival. 

There are no changes to isolation requirements for people who test positive for the virus.