Restrictions at hospitals and care homes eased

Some restrictions at the Islands hospitals and residential homes have been relaxed.

From today, visiting Noble’s Hospital, Ramsey Cottage Hospital and Manannan Court can take place with patients allowed to nominate two people to attend during visiting hours.

Meanwhile, two people can also now be nominated to attend Older Persons Day Services and Residential Care Homes.

In all those cases, anyone who does visit those facilities will have to wear a medical grade face covering and fill in a visitor registration form for contact tracing purposes.

Restrictions for the emergency department at Noble’s Hospital will still stay in place, with no visitors being permitted, and one parent escorting a child for the duration of their stay.

Meanwhile, GP practices, dental practices providing NHS services and optician practices will continue to implement social distancing and the wearing of masks by patients and staff.

Patients will be offered appointments over the phone or by video link where appopriate and will be seen in person if it's considered clinically necessary.

Individuals entering any Manx Care health or care facility for any appointment will be required to wear a medical grade face covering which will be provided on entry to the facility, and all visitors are asked to use the hand sanitiser on entry.