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PCR not needed if LFD is positive

126 Omicron Covid-19 cases on Island

Manx residents will only need to rely on a positive result from a  Lateral Flow Device before entering a period of isolation.

That's just one of a series of rule changes, announced at a Covid-19 briefing earlier this evening.

Previously, a confirmatory PCR test was needed at the Grandstand, should an LFD come back positive.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan says there are now 126 'probable' cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 on the Island - the first two 'possible' cases were identified on 9 December.

Mr Cannan added the variant has been rising steadily here and so a 'fluid and flexible approach' is needed to get through the next few weeks.

He says these changes will come into force on Wednesday morning:

Meanwhile, an 'early release mechanism' will be introduced for those with Covid, allowing them to leave self isolation if they return two negative LFDs at least 24 hours apart.

There will also be a change to isolation rules, meaning the households of people who test positive for the Omicron variant will no longer need to isolate alongside the person with the virus.

The new rules will come into force from one-minute-past-midnight on Wednesday morning.

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