Mask requirement dropped from tomorrow

Fri, 21 Jan 2022

Additional measures put in place last month to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 will end tomorrow.

It follows a significant reduction in the number of coronavirus cases on the Island, allowing a return to level one of the Government’s COVID-19 Winter Framework.

The changes, which come into effect at 00:01 tomorrow (Saturday 22 January), mean an end to the legal requirement to wear face coverings on public transport and in health and social care settings.

The wearing of face coverings is no longer ‘expected’ but is still strongly recommended when mixing with others, especially where other mitigations such as distancing or ventilation are more difficult.

Manx Care’s policy requires anyone visiting its health and social care facilities – such as Noble’s Hospital – to wear a medical-grade face mask, which is provided on arrival.

The wearing of face coverings is strongly recommended within educational settings and when using school transport, but this is a personal choice for all staff, students and visitors.

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