The government will still consult the Emergency Advisory Group on Covid-19 issues - when time permits - Chief Minister Howard Quayle has insisted.

It comes after it was confirmed the EAG - set up to provide advice to the Council of Ministers - was not consulted ahead of the decision last week to change isolation rules so that close contacts are not required to isolate or have a PCR test, provided they do not have any symptoms.

They can also take part in a voluntary seven-day home testing scheme using lateral flow tests.

Meanwhile, Mr Quayle has apologised for the delays people faced in contacting 111 at the weekend after the number of calls skyrocketed.

In Tynwald on Tuesday, Julie Edge (Onchan) asked what advice the Council of Ministers received from the EAG ahead of the change of isolation rules.

The Council of Ministers consulted the command structure in place to ’urgently consider options’ - in the face of a huge increase in numbers required to isolate - and the clinical and public health silver group and testing strategy group discussed what could be done.

’It was their recommendation that the Council of Ministers implemented, moving away from a mandatory precautionary isolation model to one of advice and guidance, supported by home testing,’ Mr Quayle said.

’That in no way undermines the role of the Emergency Advisory Group and CoMin is hugely appreciative of the advice already received and the speed at which it has already been provided.

’We will continue to seek their advice when time permits, especially for longer-term thinking such as around our border position.

’Sometimes the pace at which we need to make change simply precludes a wide consultation.’

He admitted consensus among medics was not always achievable and CoMin decisions were based on a range of views and expertise.

’A wide range of individuals with clinical and public health all fed into the recommendation, which ultimately came to CoMin and was supported, on balance, against the risks of inaction,’ he said.

Rob Callister (Onchan) asked why additional support and resources was not given to staff at the 111 call centre to deal with the ’significant increase’ in inquiries.

Mr Quayle said: ’The team was literally swamped. You cannot just torpedo or jettison people into that area, they have to be trained up.

’We had the full complement of people from when we had the initial outbreaks earlier on. It was just unfortunate that we had a large number at this time and I can only apologise to all those people who had to wait for a significant time but the team were doing an excellent job.

’They were just overwhelmed by bigger numbers than expected.’