Blood donation sessions are continuing during the current lockdown.

Planned sessions are taking place at the Jubilee Suite in Westmoreland Road, Douglas, to ensure essential blood supplies are maintained - and the government has advised that donors who are able to attend to continue to give blood as normal.

Donors currently in self-isolation should contact the donor secretary on 650637 so that appointments can be reallocated.

Before attending, donors will be asked to complete a pre-appointment Covid-19 assessment form, with the details to be confirmed on arrival at the clinic - where social distancing is in place and personal protective equipment is in use.

In addition, a thorough cleaning regime has been implemented, with all equipment and furniture being sanitised between donors.

Members of the blood donor service team will attend to one donor at a time as a further safety measure, and are providing a point of contact for visitors should they need to report they have developed symptoms of Covid-19, or are asked to isolate.

Separately, people who are self-isolating and are due to attend Noble’s Hospital for a procedure should contact the hospital in advance of their appointment.

Patients should ring their admission area so they can be given specific advice on how they should enter the building and the protocols in place within the hospital to prevent transmission of the virus.

Minister for Health and Social Care David Ashford said: ’It is vital that blood donation sessions continue, as supplies are needed to treat patients in a variety of situations.

’There is no scientific evidence that coronavirus can be transmitted through blood donation and I encourage everyone that can, to attend their appointment as normal and be reassured that measures are in place to keep everyone safe.

He added: ’We are trying to maintain as much activity as we can at Noble’s - so if called, patients should attend. But we ask those who are currently in self-isolation to contact us first so we can ensure their admission is carried out safely and in line with all necessary protocols.’