Provisions will be in place to ensure the government can make any emergency Covid rules even after Tynwald breaks and in the political system ahead of September’s general election, when most political activity is suspended.

The government has powers to impose emergency restrictions in a public health crisis but they must be approved by Tynwald retrospectively within 14 days.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle was this week asked to outline what the position would be should any emergency restrictions need to be imposed during the summer, after the dissolution of the House of Keys and before a new administration was formed following the general election.

Mr Quayle said potential pandemic threats remained that may require mitigation action over the summer.

’We must be prepared to deal with this, should it happen,’ he said.

’In such circumstances, the government retains the responsibility to govern during this period.

’The first responsibility of government is the safety of its people.’

That means powers that allow the government to control the conduct of people in the island and control over who comes here would be retained.

Specifically on the current coronavirus regulations, Mr Quayle added: ’At this time it is the intention to bring the regulations back to Tynwald with a view to extend them through the summer period until the next administration.

’Subject to Tynwald approval, I believe it continues to be a necessary and proportionate measure to ensure that government retains the ability to properly manage the pandemic as we enter the autumn and winter period.’

The issue was raised in Tynwald by Kate Lord-Brennan MLC, who is standing for election in the House of Keys in September.

She warned of a ’lack of accountability’ over the summer.

Mr Quayle said: ’It is up to the will of Tynwald.

’I am bringing the amendments back to Tynwald in June for Tynwald to decide.

’You cannot say, "We are all going to fight an election and no decisions can be made," so if there is a new variant, heaven forbid, that bypasses the vaccine, you are going to leave the island defenceless because you do not want anything to happen until the new House sits.

emergency

’Should there be an extra sitting of Tynwald needed, Tynwald can be convened up until August 12, six weeks before the election. If there was an urgent need then of course we would have to call an emergency Tynwald.

’In the interim period there are laws that enable us to pass legislation but then the new, appointed, Tynwald court would decide whether it accepted at not.’

Mr Quayle pointed out the period of ’purdah’ had existed since the creation of the ministerial system, with the Council of Ministers having powers to carry on good governance in an emergency.

He said when Tynwald was unable to sit within 14 days of emergency regulations being brought in, it must sit at the earliest date possible after then. In those instances regulations would remain in place pending approval or rejection.

’The Council of Ministers are not going to bring in health regulations unless there is another emergency in the time when Tynwald is no longer sitting,’ said Mr Quayle.

’Tynwald would then, of course, at the first available sitting, overturn it.

’I am bringing this to Tynwald in June, if members do not want to give any protection to the people of the Isle of Man from a Covid resurgence or a new variant in the time of purdah, then that is up to Tynwald members. On your heads be it.’