A package of one-off support towards accommodation costs for those travelling to the island who will be required to self-isolate upon return has been launched.

This follows the change in policy from the Council of Ministers to extend self-isolation for 14 days to all members of a household on the return to the Island of a household member as of November 19.

Individuals travelling back to the island from Thursday November 19 are able to book accommodation from today onwards, through two local travel agents.

The government will make a contribution of up to £250, per person, towards the cost of officially registered permanent tourist accommodation.

Minister for Enterprise Laurence Skelly said: ’ Given the current prevalence of the virus in the UK and the increase in travel related cases in the island, we feel this move is the most appropriate course of action to keep our community as safe as possible.

’We are very aware that the change in the self-isolation household rule will be difficult for some households and families; it may result in children having to be off school and people having to be absent from work.

’We therefore want to make this as easy as possible for everyone involved and provide individuals the option to stay somewhere else during their two week period of self-isolation, avoiding the need for others in their households to isolate.’

To help facilitate this, government has established a framework of tourist accommodation providers who can apply to be on a ’Select Accommodation Isolation List’ to deliver accommodation for self-isolating individuals.

Only permanent accommodation providers registered with the DfE under the Tourist Act 1975 can apply to be on the select list.

Providers must also have the availability to take bookings for fourteen day block periods at a time up until December 31 and must adhere to official guidance.

Accommodation providers looking to register for the ’Select Accommodation Isolation List’, must contact the Visit Isle of Man team at [email protected] by Monday November 16, to guarantee a place on the list.

People travelling back to the island that would like to book accommodation can do so from today, and should contact the Online Regional Travel Group on 01624654654 or email [email protected].

Alternatively, contact Isle of Man Travel Event Services on 01624664460 or email [email protected], both of whom are acting as the agents to manage the booking and invoicing process.