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Manx businesses back border testing

Ashford says it will only detect 7%

Businesses are backing a move to introduce mandatory testing at the border for returning travellers.

In a survey by the Chamber of Commerce, more than 100 companies said they want government to introduce the policy, as well as testing at the end of self-isolation.

Jason Scales is the chief executive of the Hubb, which helps start-up tech companies develop on the Island.

He explained to Ewan Gawne why government must increase testing, as current self-isolation rules are putting of business of moving here:

Unlike in Jersey and Guernsey, the government has so far chosen not to test at the border.

Health Minister David Ashford says testing at the border alone would only detect seven per cent of cases:

It's understand the 7% detection figure for border testing used by the minister is taken from an investigation by Public Health England.

It modelled what would happen if all incoming travellers were screened, you can read more here.  

The on-Island testing facility has the capacity to do 800 tests a day, as of the last update nine people were waiting for a test, five for results.

Government has been reluctant to ramp up its testing, despite calls from critics including scientists and MHKS.

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