The Comis Hotel was never used as a detention centre for returning residents, the government insists.

But the Department of Infrastructure has refused once again a Freedom of Information request to disclose a copy of its contract with the Comis.

A total of 112 returning residents, including one child and one baby, were accommodated in secure accommodation at the hotel during the height of the island’s Covid crisis.

It proved to be one of the most controversial aspects of the government’s response to the pandemic.

Responding to a FoI request, the DoI said: ’The Comis Hotel was not used as a place of detention.

’Residents, following requests to be allowed to return to the island, completed conditional quarantine at the Comis Hotel during the coronavirus pandemic.’

In response to an earlier FoI request in July, the DoI revealed that it had paid a total of £94,830 to the Comis.

It said the contract with the hotel began on April 15.

There was no cost to government of providing security fencing.

But the department refused to disclose figures for the fees charged per person per day for the accommodation, food, security - citing commercial sensitivity.

It also declined to disclose a copy of the contract, again on similar grounds. And in response to the latest FoI inquiry, it said it would not publish the service specification which it said was an integral part of the contract.

The DoI said visits were made to identify and implement risk control measures - but insisted it had never said that ’an inspection’ had taken place.

It said: ’The Comis Hotel is registered to provide accommodation and food. The registration process ensures that all legal, health and safety and accommodation quality standards have been adhered to.

’Any visit by this department, and other parties, took place to discuss and facilitate the measures that needed to be put in place, following public health guidance, for residents to complete conditional quarantine at the hotel.

’This included considerations such as the areas to be used for exercise, and access through the hotel to allow for strict social distancing, arrangements for residents with limited mobility and arrangements to be put in place for the maintenance and cleaning of rooms.’

The DoI said consideration was given to ensuring that the hotel had adequate and appropriate facilities for all guests including those with dietary requirements, mobility issues and children.