This is a very rough and unverified transcript of the Isle of Man Government Press Conference conducted on 11 December 2020.
You should not rely upon it — it is transcribed by an automated speech recognition service, and I cannot guarantee its accuracy. Any Manx Gaelic words are very inaccurate.
Before relying or quoting anything contained here, you should verify it against the underlying audio recorded here. Time Stamps and automatically-generated speaker names should help in the verification.
Howard Quayle 0:00
Good afternoon, everyone and thank you for taking the time to watch and listen today I’m joined by the Minister for Health and Social Care David Ashford Mhk. And our Director of Public Health Dr. Henrietta Ewart on the world stage it has been a truly monumental week, I should say monumental week in our battle against this pandemic, with the United Kingdom becoming the first country to begin the rollout of a mass vaccination programme to combat covid 19 virus. This is the beginning of our fight back. The vaccination will protect people against a disease that has claimed the lives of over one and a half million people. 25 of them here on the Isle of Man. On Tuesday morning at 6:31am at University Hospital in Coventry, 90 year old Margaret Keenan was the first person to receive the Pfizer COVID 19 jab as part of a mass vaccination programme. Mrs. Keenan received a guard of honour and rapturous applause from NHS workers after the vaccine had been administered. It was a moment we have spent this whole year longing for turning 91 next week, Mrs. Keenan referred to her vaccination as an early birthday present. For all of us, it was an early Christmas present, and a beacon of hope at the end of a dark and difficult year. Like so many pivotal moments in human history. This one small step will come to signify a giant leap. First and foremost, this vaccination programme is about saving lives. But it will also enable us to restore our way of life. The Herculean task ahead of us to vaccinate on mass will lay the foundations for our return to normality. In time, the vaccination programme will allow the measures that have slowed the spread of the virus and saved lives put in place around the globe to be relaxed, and finally removed. We will never know how many lives have been saved by these difficult but necessary measures, but save lives they have here in the Isle of Man workers well underway on preparing for our vaccination programme. We must bear in mind that this is a complex logistical exercise, especially given the nature of the Pfizer vaccine. Until a few weeks ago, no one was certain which of the several vaccines and the advanced stages of development would be the first to receive regulatory approval. Given the differences between the vaccines being developed, particularly in relation to transport storage, and the impact of these factors have on plans to get jobs and arms planning and making detailed preparations has been difficult. The Pfizer vaccine has to be stored and transported at minus 70 degrees centigrade using dry ice. The vaccine comes in batches of just under 1000. And the vials contain multiple not single doses, with each individual dose having to be removed and then diluted, ready to be administered. It requires delicate and proper preparation to ensure the vaccine remains effective. each batch in its entirety must be thawed at the same time. Then there is a five day window in which the third vaccines must be used. They cannot be refrozen. The vaccine is coming on stay on stream gradually as production continues, and Pfizer have acknowledged delays in the manufacturing, which have impacted on delivery to the United Kingdom. With two doses required at least 21 days apart. For the vaccine to be effective. We must factor into our planning and have certainty that we will have adequate supply to administer the second dose in the required timescale. This I hope gives you a flavour of some of the logistical challenges and complexities being considered by the team tasked with rolling out this programme here in the Isle of Man. They are working around the clock and doing a tremendous job. So what timescales are we looking at? Ideally, we would like to begin vaccinating this side of Christmas. But I must emphasise that we must have certainty around availability schedules before we can start. There is currently some uncertainty around these. And I’ll bring in David to talk a little bit more about our plans and thinking on this.
David Ashford 4:42
David. Thank you, Chief Minister at the moment to give an update our plans are that the first tray of vaccine should arrive on the island next week. So that will be 975 vaccines. We would then look to start our rollout as has been mentioned before with nursing homes and frontline health care staff The following week commencing Monday, the 21st of December, as the chief minister has just said, one of the important things is ensuring that we have consistent supply because of the need to administer the dose day I’m on day 21. So we will always make sure that whatever the level of vaccines on Ireland, we have that ability to deliver that second dose, the logistics around this are all actually massive. And we’ve been working very hard to make sure there was a logistics are in place. But as things currently stand, we expect the vaccine to be in the island next week. And then from there the following week to start administering our programme and then start gearing up from January onwards. Thank you, Chief Minister.
Howard Quayle 5:42
Okay, thank you very much, David, for that very encouraging news. And if things go to plan, the start of vaccinations will be a Christmas present to our whole community, and we can all rejoice in the silver bullet is ready, locked and loaded. pulling the trigger and launching that fight back is, I hope, only a matter of days away. The vaccine has been through vigorous and rigorous trials, evaluations and finally, regulatory approval. Whilst the United Kingdom was the first to approve the vaccine. Canada has quickly followed suit and approval in the United States is expected imminently. Following recommendation for approval by the US Food and Drug Administration. The vaccine is effective at up to 95%. And it is safe. But as it rollout continues, we learn more. This week guidance has been issued on those with a history of severe allergies. Henrietta, I know you want to say a few words on this topic.
Henrietta Ewart 6:45
Yes, thank you, Chief Minister. Yes, as Chief Minister has just said the word two incidents last week of health care staff who were given the vaccine and suffered anaphylactoid reactions. So that wasn’t true anaphylaxis. As I understand the reports, it was symptoms related to that. So rashes, facial swelling, airway obstruction, serious enough but not the full anaphylaxis. Both the individuals concerned are known to have a history of allergy and both had been issued with epi pens. As a result of that, in those incidents, medicine medicines and healthcare regulatory agency convened an expert panel literally at the close of the day on which that happened, which was Wednesday, and guidance was issued overnight and was ready on Thursday morning. So the guidance for using the vaccine has been updated. And now makes it very clear that anybody who has a history of an immediate anaphylaxis reaction to a vaccine, a drug or food should not receive the vaccine, and also where vaccines are being administered. There should be arrangements in place to monitor people for a short time after they’ve received the vaccine. And that equipment should be in place to do immediate resuscitation should that be needed. So I think anybody who is concerned about that needs to speak to their doctor, or when they go forward for a vaccine when they are called for vaccine and have their appointment. Make sure they voice any concerns to the healthcare practitioner that they see there. But it is only those people who have a history of anaphylaxis to a vaccine food or drugs in whom the vaccine is contraindicated.
Howard Quayle 8:40
right thank you very much, Henrietta and our public team health team continues to monitor developments closely. Our COVID website has been updated with details of the vaccination programme, and this will continue to be populated as details are finalised. And if you visit gov.im, forward slash COVID. You will find the details. Before moving on to questions from representatives of the media. I wanted to touch upon the ongoing trade talks between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Brexit has very much seemed like the sideshow this year as attention turn to the pandemic. Despite the continuing global crisis, the transition period we have been in since the United Kingdom left the European Union at the end of January will cease on the 31st of December, and things will change on the first of January. There are changes that will happen regardless of whether there is a deal or not. To what extent they will change is still not clear. As you will have seen across the media. The signs coming from London and Brussels are that significant gaps remain in negotiating a trade deal that both parties can agree to. A new deadline of this Sunday has been agreed for progress to be made. We are including Touch with colleagues in the UK Government and the other Crown dependencies, and will continue to do so. Over this weekend and beyond if necessary. The Isle of Man is prepared for any eventuality. I will of course keep you updated on developments and what any outcomes mean for our Ireland. In the meantime, please remember that if you trade with the EU, visit the EU or come from an EU regardless of whether there is a deal or not. There may be changes that affect you. There is a lot of useful information about the Are you ready for 2021 campaign@gmail.com forward slash Brexit and now to questions from the media. And first we have Paul Moulton from Isle of Man television.
Unknown Speaker 10:48
Okay,
Howard Quayle 10:49
my afternoon fester my
Paul Moulton 10:51
afternoon and this is I think we’ve had David tariffication. What he said that did use the word mistress was hopefully getting the vaccine next week or definitely getting the vaccine that can clarify is a store waiting for final sign off from someone in the United Kingdom to send it over.
David Ashford 11:07
Yes, as the chief minister said, the UK didn’t receive the amount of vaccine it was expecting and their initial order, the initial order they were expecting into the UK was 800,000 doses. It was substantially lower than that. But we are hopeful that the first tray of vaccine will arrive on Ireland next week. But obviously we are subject to the supplies being available to transfer to Ireland.
Paul Moulton 11:31
And you’re gonna announce where the hub is not because it’s gonna be a central location. So where will people go to get vaccinated when it does arrive?
David Ashford 11:38
There is still a couple of things to be sorted out on that we need to inform the staff first, we’re not quite ready to announce that today. We do we do have a central location that we will be looking to use both we will be announcing that very, very shortly. But we need to inform and speak to the staff who will obviously be undertaking the vaccinations first. Okay, my
Paul Moulton 11:56
second question is really to do with the ongoing situation with Dr. Glover. Can you confirm that any company equivalent of Rachel Glover’s is being used software or intellectual property? Is any that still being used, which videos her stuff to take? Or whatever she wants to do? Because I think we need to clear this up. I’m still quite concerned, I think something like what’s going on there?
David Ashford 12:18
Well, as far as I’m aware, Paul, there is no ongoing situation with Dr. Glover. I believe she’s removed her equipment from the lab, as far as I’m aware. And I don’t believe we’re using anything that is actually hers. Again, it’s a good opportunity for me to put on record, I’d like to thank Dr. Glover for all the hard work she’s done. She you know, she’s worked exceptionally hard to ensure that we can have the testing Centre in place along with the rest of the team. And it’s been a real team effort that is delivered or PSA testing centre that To be frank is probably the envy of the world. In the way we’ve been doing testing in the Isle of Man unable to deliver that. But as far as I’m aware, we’re not using any of our equipment or any of her stuff any further.
Paul Moulton 12:57
Okay, and you are happy with the situation with testing in the Isle of Man, we are getting still a gold standard test here. And you know, fast turnaround.
David Ashford 13:05
Yeah, it is business as usual. Nothing has changed. Neither was the timings of the results coming back or the way the results have been undertaken.
Howard Quayle 13:12
Okay. All right. Thank you guys. I think it’s worth pointing out that we have an exceptionally good team who have delivered 100% results in the time that the alligator to do the testing and get that information back up in the UK is working at about 87% so we can be really proud of our whole team working on our testing and tracing tracing setup. Now I move on to Simon Richardson of business 365 Good afternoon, Simon faster. My
Simon Richardson 13:39
good afternoon gentlemen. My first question relates to an announcement today from the UK government’s that the self isolation requirements is being changed from two weeks to 10 days based on their the latest sort of medical evidence. Now Is that likely to be reciprocated in the Isle of Man. And experts are saying that people are most infectious around the time they first develop the symptoms. And by day 10 only about 2% will still be capable of passing the virus on.
Howard Quayle 14:10
Right. Well, thanks for that Simon. And we are aware of the announcement today that the United Kingdom is reducing the period of self isolation from 14 to 10 days and we’re already in the advanced stages of considering a similar move in the new year. we’re likely to work in conjunction with testing. So 14 days of isolation has been the gold standard it provides a 99% probability that people released from isolation will not carry the vaccine day 10 provides 98% now in the in the United Kingdom, where infection rates are high. This is this 1% difference is negligible. Here with only 1% active case and and no community spreads, the potential impact is greater and we are loath to deviate from the gold standard this close to Christmas But Please be assured that this is something the Council of Ministers has already asked to be worked up. And I will give you more detail on what we propose to do early in the new year.
Unknown Speaker 15:12
Thank you. My second question, I’d like to return to a theme from last week. And you said that government wasn’t thinking of providing certification for people who are given the vaccine. However, given the likelihood of the UK, failing to strike a deal with the EU, as now seems pretty much inevitable. This might cause major problems for people travelling into European countries next year. Now, would it be feasible to offer proof of vaccine certification, even if people have to make a small payment to cover the administration costs?
Howard Quayle 15:44
Well, we’re certainly looking at it, Simon. But I think at this moment in time, as we’ve said, In previous briefings, we do not know yet nobody knows if you still carry the virus when you’ve been vaccinated. So we don’t know, if you go on holiday, and you’ve been vaccinated, and you hand over your bit of paper, whether or not you’re still carrying the virus, it won’t get you, but you could pass it on to somebody or whether you cannot carry it. So really, until that information is known. I can’t give you a concrete answer on what we’re going to do. But obviously, we’re closely monitoring the situation. And when that detail becomes available, of course, we’ll take action. David, is there anything you want to add to that?
David Ashford 16:28
Yeah, if I called Chief Minister, just to say, Simon, when we answered that last week, what we’re referring to was around whether people will be able to have less restrictions if they’ve been vaccinated. And one of the things that was pointed out is at this point, the science doesn’t say that if you’re vaccinated, you won’t catch COVID-19 or you can’t transmit it on to other people. So from that point of view, we wouldn’t be issue vaccinating certificates, or saying to allow people say, to have no isolation, or to do other things, if they travelled into the island, in relation to what other countries do with countries start going down the route of actually saying, well, in order to get into a country, you’ve got to prove you’re vaccinated. That’s a bit like now where you have some countries where you have to show a negative COVID test, and possibly up to three days before you travel. And then we could look at things like that around that if it became a travel requirement. But they’re two very different things. And there’s the idea of having a certificate that says, if you’ve been vaccinated, you can go around your business as normal. And then there’s the idea of a certificate if you need to travel. And they need to be looked at in the context that they both are.
Unknown Speaker 17:38
Okay, thank you.
Howard Quayle 17:39
Thank you very much, Simon. And now we move on to Tim Glover. From Manx radio. Good afternoon, Tim festa. My
Unknown Speaker 17:45
estimize.
Tim Glover 17:46
If I can start with teachers, we’re hearing more and more that teachers are going away back across for the two week period. And they’re going to be self isolating when they return and there’s going to be a lot more remote learning. Are you concerned that the first two weeks of the new year term could be disrupted somewhat? Well,
Howard Quayle 18:07
I know the secondary schools especially have been very concerned about the number of teachers that have no family on the island, they have made a decision themselves as the head teachers to allow some teachers, not all the teachers to go away and I have every confidence that they will have factored in to their decision that they will have, you know, other colleagues to help cope for the short period of time that people will be in isolation and unable to work. Now, I would point out that if you look at the Isle of Man and our education, I was up in at a number of cattle services and skills where the head teachers have said to me, you know, we’re probably the only school Island place in Europe, possibly where there has been no disruption in the last term to our young people’s education. So I think even if there were to be a small amount of disruption and some of the skills, I think, given the search the situation we find ourselves in then our young people have a significant advantage over their certainly over their UK counterparts.
Unknown Speaker 19:15
Can I test a further question on that, and that is that they’re quoting to us that they’re doing this for their own good of mental health. And it’s similar to people who are wanting to join up as families mental health is a growing topic it would appear?
Howard Quayle 19:32
Yes, mental health is a big worry. And I think the sadly, the amount of suicides, for example, throughout the United Kingdom, and here on the island is above average. So it’s something I’ve mentioned time and time again that we are very concerned about and that’s why I personally I’m so delighted that we now see the vaccines coming out and this month we will be starting them. It will enable us to get back to a normal life across the whole of the world and the sooner for all of us the best And obviously, from a mental health point of view, it’s incredibly important. I’ve, I’ve said time and time again in previous briefings, that there are unseen scars out there in society that we’ve yet to learn about. And I think an increase in mental health, mental health issues in the community will be one of them.
Unknown Speaker 20:20
You’ve teed up my second question perfectly there within the scenes scars, and I want to combine the covid 19 pandemic and Brexit, if I may, in that. We know there’s going to be a an on rolling on economic impact from the covid 19 pandemic. And we know that there will be consequences in terms of higher food prices, if we have a no deal. I’m particularly concerned and people are getting in touch about the lower paid who may have lost a job and then are going to face higher food prices. Do you see a bit of a crisis coming from the two big topics of the year, joining together in the New Year Brexit in the covid 19 pandemic and economic impact?
Howard Quayle 21:07
Well, obviously COVID has has has had an economic impact, you know, hundreds of if Well, a couple of 100 million, probably for the Isle of Man, which is very small, you could argue compared with other jurisdictions who have had it for a lot longer. Yeah, we some food will not go up. Its food that has to be imported from the European Union, where the if tariffs are put on it, if there’s a no deal, then obviously the price will go up. So it’s something of course, we’re monitoring, I know, Treasury, and their social security side of things will be taking this into account. But at this moment, and we just do not know the impact from a Brexit because we don’t know whether there’s going to be a Deal or No Deal. Obviously, if there is a deal, then there won’t be tariffs on food products coming from the European Union. And therefore, that shouldn’t see a big increase in food prices. But equally if there isn’t a deal, and you see a reduction in the price of the value of Sterling, and the tariff, and we still need those products coming in from the European Union. Obviously, they may have to be sourced from elsewhere if they’re too prohibitive. But these are factors that we are monitoring as a council of ministers, and we will take into account.
Unknown Speaker 22:25
Are you surprised that this has rolled on for so long? Because we as the media were gathered a couple of weeks ago to a briefing, and we were told what to expect later that week? And of course, here we are, and none of that happened?
Howard Quayle 22:39
Yes, I I suppose this time last week term, I was cautiously optimistic that a deal would be done. That was all the mood music, both publicly and behind the scenes. However, certain things weren’t agreed that people had thought would be agreed. And we find ourselves in the position we are and you know, from day one, I’ve always taken the attitude. I think I’ve quoted sciverse packin Parabellum, which is above the first sealord desk office if you want peace, prepare for war and on the island we’ve prepared for no deal. And then if there is a deal, then that makes our lives a little bit easier. Thank you very much, Tim. We now move on to Helen McKenna from Isle of Man Newspapers. So welcome to your first briefing. Helen, on behalf of Isle of Man Newspapers,
Helen McKenna 23:26
is very much Chief Minister. Good afternoon. And Firstly, can you tell me which cat whom will be the first to receive the vaccine? Right, I
Howard Quayle 23:35
don’t have that information. I don’t know if the Health Minister can help you.
David Ashford 23:39
We do have to health care homes that have actually signed up, ready to go with the first for the first tranche, but we’re not willing to name them at this point in time. And that will be for the care homes themselves. They need to communicate obviously with the residents, and also with the residents. Why two families so we’re not in a position at this point in time to name the homes.
Unknown Speaker 23:58
That’s okay. And also how are the vaccines arriving here? Is it by flights or by boats?
David Ashford 24:05
So my understanding is it will be by flight.
Howard Quayle 24:08
Yeah, they, they can’t be too Rocky, I’m afraid and I think flight will be the smoothest way of transporting them for the time being anyway, this, the Pfizer ones or the other ones will be much easier to trans transport. Thank you very much. Oh,
Unknown Speaker 24:25
sorry. I just got one more question. And that’s okay. And how has government prepared for any bad reactions to the vaccine?
David Ashford 24:32
In terms of that, I’ll hand over to the Director of Public Health if I may.
Unknown Speaker 24:38
Yes, we covered that earlier when we talked about the two health care workers who had a known history of allergy allergy, and were EpiPen carriers. So the safety profile for allergic reactions is actually very good and serious reactions were not found in the 20 3000 people who had the vaccine in the trial. So this is unusual. And as often happens, by chance, you can get two very rare events clustered together, which makes them seem very significant. And once they are significant, we have to put them in the context not only of their $23,000, who received the vaccine in the trials without any severe allergic issues, but also the 1000s of other people who have now received the vaccine as part of the initial rollout across. So the precautions as I said, the MH ra the licencing body who has issued the emergency authorization for the use of these vaccines, convened an expert panel on Wednesday, late afternoon evening to look at what happened. And they issued the guidance that people with a history of immediate anaphylaxis to a vaccine a drug or food should not have the vaccine. And indeed, that everybody having the vaccine should have well everywhere offering the vaccine should have the facility facilities to hold on to and monitor everybody who’s had the vaccine, because you would normally see a severe anaphylactic or other allergic anaphylaxis. HoId response within 15 minutes of receiving the vaccine. So it’s not something that’s going to happen to you two days later. The other side effects you know, the sore arm the sore muscles. Yes, that can be a longer term issue, but not the allergic type reactions. And also as I said before, the vaccination centres will be required to have the equipment to resuscitate anybody who’s had an anaphylactic reaction, and also the staff will be trained to administer that care. Okay,
Howard Quayle 26:51
thank you very much. And I hope that reassures everyone out there. Right next we have is Alex Bell from BBC Isle of Man. Good afternoon, Alex faster. My
Alex Bell 26:59
Good afternoon, Mr. quayle. 1000s of people have already been vaccinated in the UK, that number will increase 1000 by 1002. Why do we not already have the vaccine? what’s the what’s the issue in the supply chain, and just where in the NHS pecking order is the elephant?
Howard Quayle 27:18
Well, we’re on the same pecking order. Obviously, as our colleagues in the Crown dependencies, the UK, as we’ve said, have received less than they’d thought, we need to make sure that we have the guarantees in place from them, that we will get our second round of the vials that we need, within the timeframe of the 21 days, because we need to ensure that this process is carried out properly. So once we’ve received those assurances from the United Kingdom, then we will be able to start but we’ve got everything ready to go. And it’s just a small technicality, but a very small important technicality that we get this right. We don’t have it in the community. So wherever much better advantage than the United Kingdom. And we want to make sure that the rollout of the vaccine on the Isle of Man is done properly. The last thing we would want is to vaccinate just shy of 1000 people and then find out that due to supply problems, we don’t get our next amount of vaccines within the permitted time that we need to be able to give it to the people who’ve had their first dose. So it’s purely a precaution to ensure we get this right.
Unknown Speaker 28:26
I do understand their jersey and Guernsey already have doses of the vaccine.
Howard Quayle 28:30
Right. I can’t comment on that. I don’t know Henrietta, if you have any knowledge or David john quinto?
David Ashford 28:37
Yes, I believe in relation to Jersey they have I’m not sure about Guernsey I believe Jersey has received their first tray. And as I say we expect to receive our first tray next week. And just to put it into context. I’m Alex, you mentioned there, about 1000s haven’t been done in the UK. That’s 1000s out of a population of 60 million plus, when we receive our first tray, which we like to say we are very confident, as confident as we can be that will be next week. That is 975 doses out of a population of 8585 86,000.
Unknown Speaker 29:11
And the second question, did you have a range of dates, perhaps the earliest to the latest as to when you see the majority of the population and the man being vaccinated?
David Ashford 29:20
Yeah, I thought I thought I’d covered this before but just in case I haven’t we expect the vaccination programme, the majority of it to run between now and September. That is where the orders will go through exactly the same time scale as the UK.
Unknown Speaker 29:33
So that’s fully vaccinated by next September, usually,
David Ashford 29:37
of the of the of the age groups currently announced the plan is by September the end of September next year. But obviously again, that’s without depends upon the UK getting the supplies in that they’re expecting to get in because we get a portion of that.
Unknown Speaker 29:49
And just in terms of the Sorry, just in terms of the age groups currently announced. They are. So
David Ashford 29:56
the age groups currently obviously care homes that frontline staff, there is also those within the vulnerable category as well who have underlying health conditions. And then age rage wise, it’s everything 50 and above.
Unknown Speaker 30:11
Thank you.
Howard Quayle 30:14
Okay, thank you very much, Alex for that. And last, but not least, Liam cook from three FM. Good afternoon, Leann foster my Good
Unknown Speaker 30:22
afternoon. And my first question, you touched upon it briefly before, but I’m just wondering if you could elaborate on the impacts, the outcome of the trade talks between the UK and the EU could have on vaccine supplies from January the first next year?
Howard Quayle 30:36
I’m not aware of problems with getting the vaccines and even if there isn’t a no Brexit, a no deal for Brexit. I know the NHS UK have been working hard to ensure that that isn’t a scenario that happens. I don’t know if there’s anything. David, you would like to expand on that?
David Ashford 30:53
Yeah. My understandings from the conversations we’ve had with the department of health and social care in the UK, is that they have contingency plans. So the vaccines are coming from the factory in Belgium. And it’s not so much an issue around them being able to come into the UK, there’s a worry that if there is any form of backlog, then it could, how would would they would actually get the vaccines in? I know, there has been talks, I believe with the Ministry of Defence around potentially using Ministry of Defence flights to bring them in if necessary.
Unknown Speaker 31:23
Okay, And my second question, I’ve asked this before, but I’m wondering if any further thought has been given, how will the government centre approach those who simply don’t want to get vaccinated?
Howard Quayle 31:33
Right? Well, as I understand it, we we’re not forcing people to be vaccinated, the reliability is 95%, on the on the Pfizer, vaccination, the tests and it’s been cleared as a safe vaccine. If people wish not to get vaccinated, then I don’t see this administration forcing them to be vaccinated. That said, it may well be that if it’s proven that you cannot infect people when you’ve been vaccinated, you may not be allowed to travel into other jurisdictions, if you take that choice, that you’re not prepared to be vaccinated. David?
David Ashford 32:09
Yeah, just to say just to reinforce what the chief minister said there, there is no plans to have compulsory vaccination. I think I’ve had my personal views numerous times around this, that I don’t believe in compulsory vaccination. What I would hope is, as people see the rollout, even those that might have concerns now, and they will actually see the benefit of it, and actually a chequered chance to dismiss all the fake news that is going around social media at the moment in relation to vaccines. So we would encourage people to have the vaccines. Catherine when she was with us at last week’s briefing, and gave the what she called the elderly mother test, where she said she would recommend her elderly mother to have us equally, I said, the personal test from my point of view, I’m not in the 50 or above age group sport. If I was offered the vaccine, I will take it.
Unknown Speaker 32:56
So just to clarify, for those who don’t wish to get the vaccine, that could be ramifications, for example, travel restrictions,
David Ashford 33:03
that’s down obviously to other countries around the world and what they decide they want to do. Simon and his question may raise the point that some countries potentially might look at vaccination certificates for travel cuantas, I believe, in the last couple of weeks announced that that might be a condition of coverage for their airline. And so there could well be ramifications. But again, it’s down to individual choice, and people have to make the choice that they believe is right for them. Okay, thank you.
Howard Quayle 33:30
Thank you very much, Leanne, and thank you all for those questions. This week, we’ve seen one use case of COVID-19 detected a key worker already in isolation. Our total number of active cases consists of that one individual. As we approach the finish line for 2020. Each of you will undoubtedly look back at this year with elements of sorrow, frustration, and disbelief. But you must also look back with pride. What we have achieved is truly remarkable. There is no denying that it has come at a cost. But the position in which we find ourselves compared to each of our immediate neighbours, and countries around the world is extraordinary. Make no mistake that this is down to each of you acting responsibly and acting together as one community, your actions, your determination, your sense of duty and your community spirit have saved lives and safeguarded livelihoods. Two weeks today, we will look be able to celebrate Christmas without the dilemma of choosing who to form a bubble with no household visiting restrictions, no masks, and having enjoyed a build up to Christmas with celebrations and gatherings that so many others around the globe have been denied. I know our border restrictions mean that some of you it for some of you it may not be exactly the Christmas you would have wished for But I hope you will agree that it is better than we dared to hope for just a few months ago. That’s all for today. Thank you all very much. Bye bye
