A high school, hotel and a pub are locations which could pose a risk of contracting Covid-19 for people who attended there on certain dates and times.

Year 7 pupils (ages 11 and 12) at QEII High School in Peel are being asked to self-isolate immediately, along with their households, following two positive cases there.

A government announcement was made just before midnight today (March 4).

Other schools previously announced as being affected are years seven and eight (ages 11-13) at St Ninian’s Lower School, as well as years three and four (ages 7-9) at Ballasalla primary school, together with certain teachers and support staff, asked to self-isolate while contact tracing is underway.

Education minister Dr Alex Allinson stated during the press briefing on Wednesday that schools remain open for pupils who are vulnerable, or children of essential workers.

He said the number of pupils attending was 674 at primary and 92 at secondary schools.

Last March, there were 259 at primary and 40 at secondary schools.

Dr Allinson urged parents not to send their children to school unless they are vulnerable or children of essential workers: ’We know the capacity within our schools that we can safely maintain using physical distancing is restricted. Some of our schools are already close to this capacity.

’If we continue to be pressured to accept young people who could otherwise be studying from home then this challenges our ability to safely deliver not only teaching in schools but also remote learning.’

Free school meal vouchers are still eligible for children who would normally get free meals during term time. The scheme gives eligible parents three weekly vouchers, each equivalent to five school meals, issued next week.

THE HYDRO HOTEL, DOUGLAS

Meanwhile, the Hydro Hotel on Queen’s Promenade, Douglas held an event on the evening of Friday February 26, which two people who have since tested positive for Covid-19 attended.

Anyone who was at The Long Tall Shankies, Manavia and Dusty Plankton show is being asked to send phone numbers to contact [email protected], so they can be tested for coronavirus.

In a Facebook post published on Tuesday, the Manavia band page said: ’So we have had news that someone attending the gig on Friday at The Hydro has since tested positive for Covid-19. We ask that everyone in attendance be watchful the next few days just in case.’

THE BRIDGE INN, LAXEY

A pub, The Bridge Inn on New Road, Laxey announced Wednesday that they were contacted by the Covid-19 tracing team, after two people who were in the pub on Saturday February 27 from 8pm until Sunday February 28 at 1am tested positive.

The Bridge Inn posted on social media that anyone who attended between these times and displaying symptoms of Covid-19 should get tested.