An MHK has called for a more pragmatic policy on collecting pets from across during the pandemic.

Currently, anyone travelling to the UK to pick up a cat or dog must self-isolate with the animal on their return.

But Douglas East MHK Clare Barber suggested that if someone was collecting a pet for someone else they should be allowed to keep the animal in a cage outside ready to be picked up.

In Tynwald, Mrs Barber argued that the current policy was actually creating more risk by pushing more people to travel to collect pets.

She said the court: ’I understand there are hugely more important things but there does appear to be concerns from some people about the inability to bring pets back.

’I recognise it’s not essential travel but some people have made plans previously and are now in a position where those animals are waiting to be collected and they can’t be.

’I think we’ve possibly inadvertently increased the risk by the current policy.’

She said she was aware of cases where one person will travel and collect a couple of pets and then bring them back to the island.

’But they’ve been told they can’t leave those pets in a container outside the property because there is a risk Covid could be transmitted on the cage,’ she said.

Mrs Barber said it was without question that returning residents must head straight into isolation and cannot go dropping the pets off around the island.

But she added: ’There’s maybe a way that’s pragmatic and sensible to allow that person to put that small pet - I’m not suggesting we bring back lions and tigers! - but that small cat or dog in a crate outside the house for collection, again with appropriate precautions.

’My concern is that inadvertently we are going to push other people to go and collect their own pet and travel unnecessarily when there may be a pragmatic middle ground. I would just ask it’s looked at.’

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said it was a hot topic that the Council of Ministers has discussed in great deal.

He said: ’We are all I’m sure pet lovers. You can go away and pick up your cat or dog but you have to isolate with that animal at your property.

’You can go away and pick up a friend’s dog or cat as well but that animal must stay with you during the quarantine. We think that’s the safest way forward.’

He said if someone went away and picked up their neighbour’s cat they may be tempted to give that person a hug and unwittingly spread the disease. ’That’s the concern,’ he said. ’Yes, it is an inconvenience. We’ve agreed to revisit this on a monthly basis.’