The island will be following a six step exit strategy, the Chief Minister has confirmed.

Howard Quayle has confirmed to Tynwald that the document, detailing government’s pandemic exit strategy will be made public by the end of this week.

The first phase occurred on Friday last week when some sections of the island’s economy reopened.

Mr Quayle said: ’Phase two involves restoring the nonessential retail shops and services, where it is safe to do so, to open up again.

’Phase three is about getting the first part of the hospitality industry, restaurants, cafes back open, where we can.

’Phase four is about lifestyle and tourism business that the people of the Isle of Man used to enjoy. Although this does not mean reopening the borders.

’Phase five is opening up the second part of the hospitality industry such as bars and nightclubs.

’The six and final phase would be the reopening of the border. This will very much depend on how on the UK is dealing with the coronavirus and whether opening up the borders would represent a significant risk of a second wave here on the island.’

Mr Quayle also announced changes to current regulations including permitting residents to leave and return to the island in for what he called ’compassionate’ reasons.

And he said that after this week’s sailing to repatriate residents, before their enforced quarantine at a cost of up to £1,000 per person, there are no other people waiting to come back to the island.

The Chief Minister has indicated that the next review on whether the government can move forward with responding to Covid-19 will occur around May 8. However, he said that while ’I sincerely hope we will be able to’, Mr Quayle said that facts and not a date in the diary would drive any decision making process.