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Testing and isolation rules move towards home kits

Tue, 21 Dec 2021

From tomorrow, people on the Isle of Man will only need to rely on a positive Covid-19 result using a Lateral Flow Test before entering a ten day isolation.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan confirmed people will no longer need a PCR test to confirm a COVID diagnosis.

In addition, the period of self-isolation can be reduced by recording two negative LFD tests a minimum of 24 hours apart.

Mr Cannan said: "We are asking that the original positive test must be recorded online. An email will then be sent explaining the isolation requirements, and providing guidance previously received through a Direction Notice. Both negative test results must also be officially recorded before someone is free from self-isolation. This change is designed to harness the testing capability across our community and capitalise on the reliability and availability of home testing kits.

"A move to include LFDs as well as PCR tests recognises the huge amount of public support for voluntary self-testing that has identified the vast majority of COVID cases over recent months. Self-management also brings obvious benefits around the possibility of ending self-isolation earlier than 10 days, once the risk of transmission has been removed."

The new rules come into force at 00:01 GMT on Wednesday.

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