TT 2021 has been cancelled - another victim of the Covid pandemic.

The move was confirmed at 12 noon today by Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly.

Next year’s races were due to take place from Saturday May 28 to Saturday June 12.It's the first time, except during wartime, that the TT has been cancelled two years in a row.Mr Skelly said: ’We do not underestimate the disappointment that this decision will cause to many people.

’However, we are making an early, logical decision to provide certainty and clarity to race fans and everyone else involved in the event.

’The TT relies on thousands of volunteers and officials across a wide range of organisations and we could not move responsibly towards a positive decision to proceed in planning for 2021, which would involve committing to welcoming tens of thousands of people to the island in June, despite the progress towards a vaccination programme globally and on the island.’

He said the government had evaluated all possible options including moving the TT to a date later in the year.

But he said this would involve ’complexities and risks’, including ’scaling up of certain infrastructure and critical delivery elements’ of the TT, as well as existing resident and visitor travel in late August, which would cause further disruption to thousands of people.

Mr Skelly said:’This decision has not been taken lightly but has been taken in the interests of the island, the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors, and is in line with our ongoing pandemic strategy.

’However, whilst making this decision, it does not necessarily mean that we believe the Island’s borders will remain under the current restrictions as we hope to welcome visitors back to the Island at the earliest opportunity.

’To the fans around the world I would say that we are really sorry to have to make this decision, but that we sincerely hope that we will still see you at some point next year.’

The Minister said the cancellation will have clear and immediate impacts on the island’s tourism and travel businesses.

He said his department for Enterprise will be issuing a further statement today (Monday), regarding additional support for industry to maintain and protect a ’strong visitor experience’ for the long term.

While the TT is cancelled, the plan at present is for the 2021 Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix to go ahead.

Mr Skelly’s department will continue to work with the Manx Motor Cycle Club and other partners towards staging the events which are scheduled to run from Saturday August 21 to Friday September 3.

While the ongoing situation will be monitored on a regular basis, a final decision on whether these events will run as scheduled will be made by the end of March 2021.

The Treasury are also confirming that the traditional Senior TT Race day bank holiday on the Isle of Man will move from Friday June 11 to Friday August 27, coinciding with the Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix.

When combined with the UK bank holiday on Monday August 30, this will offer a four-day bank holiday weekend building on the successful SuperManx Bank Holiday weekend in 2020.

The government has confirmed that the 2022 TT Races are still scheduled to take place.The Steam Packet said it will contact those with bookings for the TT to offer a priority transfer to equivalent sailings for TT 2022. Passengers will also be offered the opportunity to cancel their booking and get a full refund. And they can keep their booking as it is in the hope that current travel restrictions to the island are relaxed.Customers will be asked to confirm what option they want by Friday January 8.