A state of emergency has been declared as the island faces up to the unprecedented threat from coronavirus.

The Lieutenant Governor has proclaimed a state of emergency under the 1936 Emergency Powers Act, legislation last implemented in wartime.

Those arriving by boat or plane from midnight on Tuesday/Wednesday are required to self-isolate for a period of at least 14 days, whether they are showing symptoms or not.

Those who refuse to go into quarantine could ultimately face a fine of up to £10,000 or three months in prison under regulations being drawn up under the Emergency Powers Act.

The act, invoked to protect the economy and ensure the essentials of life where the security of the island and its people are under threat, could ultimately be used to implement a full lock-down, if that’s deemed necessary.

As the Manx Independent went to press on Wednesday night, there had been 50 coronavirus tests concluded and still no confirmed cases.

Passengers arriving by air and sea from yesterday were greeted by civil defence and volunteers from the public sector who were there to advise on the new rules.

Police have been told special arrangements have been made for passengers who will be entering into isolation after arriving on inbound flights and the ferry.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle told a press briefing that the Attorney General is currently working on legislative powers to make it an offence to break the quarantine.

’We will enforce that strictly,’ he said.

’We have implemented the 1936 Emergency Act. This is only the second time since World War Two that it’s been brought in.

’This will give us the powers to enforce the adherence to isolation and if people don’t, we will take action.’

Asked how the rules will be policed, he replied: ’If we have evidence that people haven’t followed the rules and regulations of self-isolation then it will be a criminal offence.

’And as there are 85,000 people on the island who I think will be watching everyone’s every move, I’m pretty certain we will have plenty of people who will be more than happy to come forward if people do break it.’ But he added: ’I genuinely believe the vast majority of the Manx public will follow the rules and regulations.’

Mr Quayle said additional powers would be brought in, if needed - including possible legislation to tackle panic buying. He and Health Minister David Ashford defended the decision not to bring in the self-isolation rules earlier, insisting the powers had to be in place and it needed to be done in a managed and staged way.

’People would have been very critical of us if we had rushed the fences, announced an immediate isolation and then had no way of dealing with that,’ said Mr Ashford.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations, due to be moved at the April Tynwald, also give powers under the Public Health Act to enforce quarantine and testing for suspected coronavirus cases. These coincide with the declaration of a ’serious and imminent threat’ to health which was also made this week.

Other regulations to be drawn up under the Emergency Powers Act will cover postponing the Douglas South by-election and the local authority elections.

Requirements for registration of GPs and extended use of video link in court may also be covered by new regulations under the act.