A doctor’s concerns over the mitigation strategy the island is following were dismissed by the Council of Ministers, it emerged in Tynwald last week.

In the final sitting before the general election held last Tuesday (July 20), MHK for Douglas East Chris Robertshaw, asked the Chief Minister what advice the Chief Minister received from the island’s medical director, Dr Rosalind Ransonbout the recent changes to the borders and the delta variant; and what response [was given] by her.

Mr Quayle said: ’On June 13, 2021, I received an email from Dr Ranson regarding the changes to the borders in relation to testing on arrival and the ability of the vaccinated to be allowed on the island with no test or isolation.

’Dr Ranson expressed concerns of the mitigation strategy we have adopted and the need for societal mitigation measures [she] also highlighted some increased and unknown risks in relation to the Delta variant.’

He added: ’Dr Ranson did ask this to be brought to the attention of the rest of the Council of Ministers and Dr Ranson has already been advised on a number of occasions that her views have been fully expressed to the Council of Ministers including by the Minister for Health and Care directly.

’In mid-May Dr Ranson’s views were minuted directly around the changes to the borders, the testing and self-isolation pathways which also included reference to unknown risks around the Delta variants. As a result, I felt there was no requirement to respond formally to Dr Ranson.’