Isle of Man-CI bubble a ‘possibility’

Friday 12 June 2020

The Isle of Man is considering opening its borders to the Channel Islands and Ireland before it lets people from Great Britain in.

The isle’s Chief Minister alluded to the plans during a press conference when answering questions on border control following lockdown.

As reported in IOM Today, Howard Quayle noted a bubble with Ireland and the Channel Islands is possible, before the island opens its borders to Great Britain.

It comes as the Isle of Man Border Force is created. 

Like Guernsey, the Isle of Man has closed all of its borders, except to repatriate residents and those deemed as essential workers, but Mr Quayle said: “There will come a time when we look to step back from this level of control, but only when the data tells us it is safe to do so." 

Pictured: Howard Quayle suggested that IoM could bubble with its fellow Crown Dependencies before opening up to Great Britain.

He added: “Our primary focus will be to continue the protection of our island and this will be supported by a robust process of border control.”

The Manx Chief Minister didn’t confirm a date when further plans would be in place but that it is a “priority” for his government, before mentioning that a travel ‘bubble’ with the Channel Islands or Ireland is under consideration.

Express has approached the Government of Jersey for comment and is awaiting a response.

The other Channel Islands, however, have been less than keen to bubble up with Jersey.

A recent poll saw a majority of Express's Guernsey readers vote against establishing travel links with their larger sibling island.

Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm have this week formed a 'Staycation Club' as a way of keeping each others' tourism and hospitality sectors active despite lockdown restrictions by promoting holidays at home.

Pictured: Sark and Alderney, which have had no virus cases, are part of the 'Staycation Club', which excludes Jersey.

The States of Alderney said yesterday that they were readying themselves for an increase in visitors, with the return of the Little Ferry.

The Little Ferry has increased its capacity with an extra 24 seats a day in both directions, while discussions are currently ongoing between the States of Guernsey, States of Alderney and Aurigny to increase the airline's maximum passenger numbers from 10 to 18.