Island prepares to enter second lockdown

Lockdown due to last for 21 days

Schools, shops and businesses are all set to close in the next twenty four hours as the Island prepares for a second lockdown, set to last for three weeks.

It will come into force shortly after midnight tonight, and will see the return of social distancing, mask wearing and a ban on households mixing.

The chief minister made the announcement due to the 'signficant risk of community infection' after seven new covid cases were identified:

Schools and nurseries will be closed, as the hub system is reintroduced for the children of key workers and vulnerable children.

It's expected this will be in place by Thursday and 'certainly by the end of this week'.

All those who can work from home must do so by Thursday, with employers asked to do everything they can to facilitate this.

Health Minister David Ashford has this message for those who remained indoors during the last lockdown due to health concerns:

Two of government's financial support schemes will come back online as a response to the second lockdown.

These are the salary support scheme, and the Manx earnings replacement allowance, or MERA.

Meanwhile, it's been confirmed vocational and technical qualification exams and BTEC are currently going ahead as planned in schools and UCM

Education Minister Dr Alex Allinson says individual health and safety assessments will be employed to ensure the safety of students and staff.