With respect, that's not a timescale. It comes across as more of a convenient way of avoiding having to address the issue but sold to the public as a threshold for considering easing things. Based on current rates here, it's going to be many months before it gets to that figure unless something else crops up before then that would make them feel comfortable with easing the border. Testing being one of them. Like I said the other day, I think we can forget Christmas travel already despite Mr Quayle's words the other way about splitting Phase 3 to allow immediate family to travel.

Also note how they use 1 in 5,000 people when infection rates in the UK and other countries are being measured per 100k people.

As JSCL says, on the point of the borders the Manx government need to avoid basing their policy on how things are going in the UK. Even though the majority of movements on/off the island are to/from "across", there's a wider world beyond the UK itself. Also the UK could be doing things such as testing a lot better. The good people of the Isle of Man have the independence to do their own thing and literally show us and the world how it should be done.

It sounds like you have just made the case for direct flights to Europe. Specifically where the rate is around 20 per 100,000

It sounds like the Manx Border Force will have a role to play: https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-...-seven-months/

Do people seriously expect timescales to be set for the virus? Does it have a pocket watch to keep track of how it should be progressing?

It's just refreshing that HQ can make an announcement and use a proper fraction. 1 in 5,000 is more correct than 20 in 100,000. Sorry, I'm a bit bored stuck in permanent self isolation, as is anyone that has the curse of having to commute on and off Island for work.

....or are they exactly the same?

One is a Proper Fraction, the other is not. But yes, in our dumbed down modern world they are the same.

Perhaps it's just because giving numbers per 100000 seems to be the norm and sticking with that allows easy comparison. Nothing dumb about it is there?

From Manx Radio

• The air bridge with Guernsey has been suspended, after a 'contained community outbreak', with 7 active cases on 'unknown origin' in the Bailiwick.
• Those coming back from Guernsey will have to self-isolate for 14 days on their return.
• No changes to self-isolation rules though.
• The suspension will be reviewed when the situation is deemed safe.
• Government will update travel advice for residents who are already in Guernsey, or booked to travel with Aurginy tomorrow.

It does make you think, when on earth will the U.K. be opened up to the IOM... when the cases reach 0? I do feel that if the IOM doesn’t open up early 2021 then not only will TT be cancelled or with no spectators from outside the island and all teams/riders on the island self isolating. Then who knows how this will affect businesses on the island

1 in 5,000 has been stated. Not zero !

The UK is currently open to the IOM. It is the IOM which is closed to the UK.

The Island economy seems to be thriving with many pubs and restaurants able to operate to full capacity thanks to no social distancing.

It really seems that only travel and hotels are adversely affected. Which when compared to the rest of the British Isles isn't much different

If Guernsey is shut off with 7 cases in 67000 makes you think.

Guernsey has taken a very tough & controlling line with Covid, right from the beginning ; & it cannot be denied that it has paid off - at least from the containment of the virus aspect - but they have greatly endangered the economy in the process. They relaxed the restrictions very slightly, & suddenly got seven cases where there had been zero for several months. So, they have shut up shop again. Are they correct to do so ? Who on earth knows ?
I should add that Jersey has taken a more relaxed attitude & let in travellers since June, with a test on arrival. We now have eighty cases - but they are identified & controlled pretty much instantaneously - & the economy is, apparently, in a better shape than Guernsey’s. You pay your money & you take your chances !

I think the point trying to be made is that isolation has impacted the economy and when the border does reopen you will have a disproportionate impact on both the economy and the limited hospital capacity. Time will tell but I am not convinced your assessment of the economic impact can be accepted with confidence. If you have access to government assessments or some other insights I apologise.

Being able to operate at full capacity and actually filling that capacity are two different things. There are a lot of establishments on the island that are reliant on the tourist trade to boost takings above what they generate from locals, some more than others. A lot of establishments would have taken a hit this year thanks to their spring lockdown and, more crucially, no TT trade.

Another industry not considered here is the events industry. Lots of weddings have been cancelled this year due to the lockdown and then those that would have had people travelling to the island being unable to do so. If this carries on into next year, expect more weddings to be postponed or cancelled.

Let's not underestimate the hit this virus and the closed borders are having on the economy there. I do think Jersey are showing how it can be done if the will is there.

easyJet London Gatwick now pushed back until 2nd February 2021, Liverpool still showing 14th December however expect this to be pushed back also.

Loganair looking at IOM-LHR route:

https://ukaviation.news/loganair-eye...-of-man-route/

They got the slots a while back for I think it was 12x Weekly flights 2 Mon-Fri 1 Sat/Sun. CEO of loganair did an interview last week and said they’d only begin as part of a broader agreement with the IOM Government.

easyJet LPL changed again by the looks of it.

Operating 21/24/27/28/31 December
No flights in January
‘Normal’ ops from February

In my opinion I don’t think we will see any EZY ops into the IOM until March 21 as the earliest

So where would a IOM LHR route leave the IOM LCY route?