A new mobile testing unit for coronavirus is being launched today (Friday) in which roughly 30 tests can be carried out every day.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle and Health Minister David Ashford confirmed at yesterday’s daily briefing that a new 111 hotline number will be available for people showing symptoms of Covid-19 to ring.

Also on the panel was consultant microbiologist and director of infection prevention and control Dr Rizwan Khan and chief clinical information and digital officer, Dr Gregor Peden.

Residents showing symptoms of the virus - fever, tiredness, and a dry cough - are to phone this service in order to be tested.

’This is not a mobile unit where people can simply turn up to be tested,’ Mr Ashford said. ’The only route to be tested is via that 111 service.’

The current number of people tested in the Isle of Man when we went to press was 51. The government stated that no confirmed cases have been found. It is waiting for the results of another 100 tests.

Mr Quayle said the government is ’operating under significant restraints’ in terms of the number that they can test and process.

He said: ’We are not able to test as many people as we would ideally like to, but we are prioritising and taking the lead from clinical experts.’

He added that reports have been made about abusive behaviour to NHS staff from people demanding to be tested, which is behaviour that ’will not be tolerated’.

From 6am today the Isle of Man will have its own ’Covid 111’ telephone system in place for people to use.

’This is more than a hotline, it is more than a call centre. This is a robust system based on the one used in the UK and draws on clinical expertise,’ Mr Quayle said, adding that this was solely for those showing the symptoms.

The government has put in place new powers after the Lieutenant Governor proclaimed a state of emergency under the 1936 Emergency Powers Act.

As of Tuesday, those arriving to the island via boat or plane are required to self-isolate for a period of at least 14 days, whether they are showing symptoms or not.

Mr Quayle told the press briefing that with the new powers in place, a breach in self isolation could mean a fine of up to £10,000 or three months in jail.

Passengers arriving by land and sea are not only receiving leaflets and being told to go straight home, but are also having their contact details taken, it was confirmed.

When asked what controls are in place for visiting vessels and private planes, Mr Ashford replied: ’In relation to private planes, if the person is not landing on their own home, so in other words getting off the plane and going directly to their own home, then they will be checked the same as everyone else.

’So if someone is coming into the port then they will need to get transport to their house and stay there.

’In relation to checking at the ports, they are taking details of people who are coming off the vessels in order that we have got a log as to who is actually needing to go into self-isolation.’

When asked about whether tests on healthcare workers are a priority, the Minister replied: ’In terms of individual testing of staff members, no they are not.

The reason being is that there is absolutely no point in it, as shown in other jurisdictions around the world because someone may be tested on the Monday, but could come into contact with someone who’s infected on the Wednesday.

The test would come back negative.

’Testing for the community is for those displaying symptoms. If workers come forward and are displaying symptoms then obviously we would look to test them as well as remove them from their role.’