No need for public inquiry over Covid – Kate Brunner KC

In a press conference today (January 10), Kate Brunner KC presented a summary of her findings from the Covid Review, and welcomed questions from local media.

The Chair of the Covid Review answered questions about Abbotswood, Covid laws and the lack of need for a public inquiry.

She hopes that the Isle of Man Government take note of her 31 recommendations, and take swift action in how data is stored.

The review into the Island’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic was published on Monday (January 8).

Kate Brunner KC’s report, which is over 3000 pages, makes over 30 recommendations and found “some significant issues”.

According to the report, one of those being: “Insufficient attention was paid to borders, which were the Island’s point of vulnerability, and the Steam Packet outbreak in early 2021 was one avoidable result of that inattention.”

The report does however state that “the Isle of Man’s approach was reasonable and was successful”.

It added that “the number of deaths was relatively low. The economic cost was also relatively low and the economy survived”.

Highlighting that the time the Island spent in lockdown was “relatively short”.

Covid Review: The good parts

The report found the Gov were partially successful in its handling of the pandemic, stating:

“Aspects of the Island’s response that were particularly successful include tight border controls, the contact-tracing programme, the vaccination roll- out and the Island’s testing programme.

“There were good communications with the public, and the public, charities and businesses pulled together in a remarkable fashion.

Covid Review

“Financial schemes protected many businesses and individuals. Government Technology Services allowed Government to work remotely.”

And the bad

It did also note some of the issues with how the pandemic was handled stating there were some “significant issues”.

“Emergency planning was not adequate, and there was too much focus on following the UK during the early pandemic.

“The social care sector was not well-supported, and there were many outbreaks in care homes, including, most significantly, at Abbotswood Nursing Home in April 2020.

Covid Review

“Insufficient attention was paid to borders, which were the Island’s point of vulnerability, and the Steam Packet outbreak in early 2021 was one avoidable result of that inattention.

“Recovery, including educational recovery, has not been appropriately prioritised.”