The Manx government has unveiled its battle plan to confront the coronavirus threat.

Cancellation of this year’s TT and requiring anyone travelling to the island from just before midnight tonight to go into self-isolation were among a series of measures announced following two emergency CoMin meetings on Monday.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said: ’It is inevitable that we will see at some stage confirmed cases here also. So far this has not happened. I am sure that it is only a matter of time before we see confirmed cases.’

Mr Quayle said the government had to take difficult decisions to ensure the safety and security of our people.

He said the Manx government had faced some criticism for following the UK’s response to the Covid-19 threat but the ’moment had come for us to deviate for what I believe is in the best interest of the island’.

The package of measures includes:

â?¢ Anyone arriving in the Isle of Man from 23.59pm on Tuesday will be required to take immediate action.

Those displaying symptoms of coronavirus will be required to self-isolate for at least seven days;

Those not displaying symptoms of coronavirus will be required to self-isolate for at least 14 days, to eliminate the possibility they are carrying infection.

â?¢ People aged 70 and over, or who are pregnant or have an underlying health condition, are being strongly advised to self-isolate to prevent the possibility of being infected. More guidance will be issued shortly.

â?¢ The 2020 Isle of Man TT is cancelled to protect critical care services.

â?¢ Residents are being advised against all non-essential travel

â?¢ Schools will remain open.

â?¢ Testing in the community will be stepped up with immediate effect.

â?¢ At this stage there will be restrictions place on public gatherings.

â?¢ The 2020 local authority general elections and the Douglas South by-election will be postponed until further notice.

â?¢ Treasury has announced £40m package of measures will be introduced to support the workforce and protect the economy.

Mr Quayle said: ’We are taking action to protect our residents and to ensure life can continue as normal as possible during this unpredictable time.’

He insisted the island is not on lock down.

Our ports remain open, children will go to school and people will go to work, and events with no off-island involvement can take place.

Mr Quayle said a lock down had been considered but had been ruled out at this time.

’The measures being introduced are aimed at minimising the risk of those arriving in the island infecting our population,’ he said.

’We still have no confirmed Covid-19 cases but residents should continue to be vigilant over hygiene and hand-washing, and help friends and neighbours who would appreciate some support.’

Mr Quayle said some retailers are already making provision for the infirm and elderly to shop for provisions and that is the kind of community spirit that was needed.

He urged against panic buying, advised residents to be responsible when shopping and to think of others rather than buy more than is necessary.

’We are entering a period when life will be different and must work together through patience, co-operation and consideration,’ he said.

’These decisions were not taken lightly. They will pose significant challenges to our economy.

’These will not be the last tough decisions we will need to take. This is a fast-moving situation.’

Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan said: ’As well as a serious health crisis we have a serious and significant economic challenge in front of us.’

Health Minister David Ashford admitted there is never a guarantee there isn’t already any mild cases in the island.

But he said: ’If there had been any longer-term infection in the community then we would have by now expected someone to present and that hasn’t happened.

’We are going to be upping our testing the community so anyone reporting symptoms can get tested.

’We are talking social distancing so with the over-70s particularly if they’ve got underlying health conditions we would suggest they just don’t go around their daily lives.

’Lots of them may be involved in church fetes, various organisations they may wish to reconsider for a short period of time.’

At the moment self-isolation for the over 70s is advisory, he said, and the idea of making it mandatory was speculation at this stage.

’We are in a very different situation to the UK as we’ve not had any confirmed cases,’ Mr Ashford said.

’That means we’ve got a unique window of opportunity to do things differently and ensure the island is in an much better position.’

He confirmed that the new self-isolation rules also applied to patient transfers.

Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly said: ’Making this decision for the TT we obviously regret but I think it is absolutely the right decision for the health and security of the Isle of Man, which is a priority.’