The island’s new MHKs have gathered for the first sitting of Tynwald since last week’s General Election.

Held on Thursday, the subject on the table were the amendments to the island’s border policy, which came into use on September 16.

The changes include a number of measures to make travel to and from the island easier for residents, vaccinated or not.

Tynwald unanimously approved the changes to the Covid-19 regulations as its first real act since the new parliament was formed.

The new Lieutenant Governor, Sir John Lorimer was in attendance with his wife, Lady Philippa.

The President of Tynwald, Laurence Skelly MLC, welcomed them to Tynwald and the island itself, saying he hoped they would enjoy the ’high quality of life in work and leisure’ which we take for granted on the island over the next five years.

Sir John then addressed the court, saying his swearing in ceremony the day before had been ’a wonderful day for both Philippa and me, and also my mother, brother and sister’.

He spoke fondly of his father, who died last year, saying: ’He would have been really delighted to have seen his son sworn in as the 31st Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man.’ He continued, saying, ’No doubt he would have had a view about my speech, and definitely about my hat,’ which drew laughter from the gathered MHKs.

Also in attendance were members of the Cringle family in the chamber’s VIP area.

Former President of Tynwald Noel Cringle OBE died earlier this year at the age of 83.

His 11-year tenure as president made him the longest serving member in the role.

Married to the late Mary, they had two sons, Murray and Mark, and four grandchildren Rachael, Philip, Kai and Oliver.

Current president Mr Skelly gave a moving speech to the court, eulogising Mr Cringle, describing him as ’a Manxman through and through, an Arbory man through and through.’

He spoke of Mr Cringle’s illustrious political career as well as personal memories.

He said: ’Very few people met him before you were invited - or should I say instructed -- to enter the Parish Walk.

’I know I didn’t escape, strong persuasive powers had Noel.’

MHK for Rushen and newly re-instated Speaker of the House Juan Watterson moved for two amendments to the Covid-19 regulations regarding boats docking.

His aim was to clear up discrepancies for boats arriving to the island, by enabling them to dock in ports in the island other than Douglas.

He cited instances of vessels arriving from Ireland which had been forced to bypass their end destination of Peel and visit Douglas first, before travelling back around the length of the island to dock - something he deemed nonsensical.

Mr Watterson’s amendments were also unanimously agreed by the sitting MHKs.

When addressing the increasing easing of coronavirus measures in the island, the Health Minister David Ashford MHK warned against complacency, saying that the virus still poses a ’clear and present danger’ to Manx residents.

He said that the island is still in the fourth wave of cases on its shores, and stated that the ’world isn’t out of the woods just yet’.

Mr Ashford stated that the government must be prepared to intervene when appropriate and necessary, but the Council of Ministers did not consider it appropriate to open borders fully just yet.

Alongside the eased border regulations, which allow residents to travel to and from the island - only requiring them to fill out landing forms on their return - Mr Ashford moved for the current Covid regulations to be in place until at least January 20, 2022, rather than later this month.

This, he added, would give the new crop of MHKs and new Council of Ministers time to formulate their own policies.