A significant majority of the island’s business community backs the testing of visitors for Covid-19 when the borders are fully reopened, according to a new survey.

It also appears there is strong support for the government’s five-stage post-lockdown strategy.

There were divided opinions about the impact on businesses of border closures. The new survey was carried out by the Chamber of Commerce and Institute of Directors.

A total of 168 Chamber and IoD members drawn from a across the business community took part in the survey, ranging from small firms to bigger businesses and representing a broad cross-section of economic sectors.

opinions

Rebecca George, chief executive, Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce, said: ’Surveys such as these give a real-time insight into opinions about what is a rapidly changing situation for all businesses.’

Here are some of the results.

· 47% of the respondents said the closure of the borders has had little or no impact on their business. Some 46% said it had a moderate impact, 10% said a lot while 16% said a great deal of impact.

·51% of respondents said that even though the island is in stage four they would still not travel for business purposes with 40% saying they would only allow it on a limited/exceptional basis.

·The 14-day self-isolation would discourage 80% of the respondents from travelling for business purposes with 35% stating that a seven-day isolation would encourage more travel.

·82% of respondents would like to see testing at the airport and ferry port when the borders are fully open and 82% also said they would be willing to pay for a test, if it was at an affordable cost, for employees to speed up results.

· 86% of respondents have procedures in place if an employee tests positive for Covid-19.

·A small localised outbreak would only impact 30% of respondents completely, with 70% stating it would either have a mild effect or none at all.

· 49% of respondents would expect financial support from IoM Government if they had to send their entire workforce home due to a Covid-19 outbreak

·73% of the respondents agree with the island government’s five-stage strategy.