An overwhelming majority of island businesses believe there should be mandatory border testing.

A total of 143 businesses completed the Chamber of Commerce survey on borders and testing.

Those that completed the survey represented a broad cross-section of sectors, with the majority being small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Results of the survey showed that 87% believe there should be mandatory testing on arrival to the island. Some 70% also believe the Isle of Man should have mandatory testing on individuals before leaving their 14-day isolation.

The impact of the border closure on businesses is very mixed, the survey found.

A total of 27% of respondents said they had been moderately affected, 28% a little, and 16% not at all. Some 16% reported being impacted a great deal.

Just over a quarter of businesses reported issues in bringing key personnel to the Island.

A majority of respondents, 59%, supported the government’s decision to rescind the seven-day test and 58% believed the government should offer salary support for any employees who test positive for Covid and are unable to work from home.

Three quarters believed that if an individual is isolating, the whole household should isolate. There was a 50/50 split in opinion on productivity being affected by working from home.