We are currently at level four of the Covid-19 border restrictions framework, meaning immediate family members of residents cannot visit the island.

It’s a policy that provokes strong feelings for and against.

We asked people on the street if they feel the border policy should stay as it is, or be loosened to allow immediate family in.

Christine Pain of St John’s said: ’I’m quite happy for it to stay as it is.

’I have got family members off the island, my daughter lives in Scotland, but I’m quite happy with how things are at the moment.’

She added: ’I know I’m fortunate, I’m able to self-isolate when I get back - but I appreciate there’s issues for other people. But personally I’m not too worried about it at all.’

Asked if she felt the level of risk in the UK was currently too high to consider loosening restrictions,she said: ’I’m not even particularly thinking in terms of risk really, I just think it’s a sensible precaution.’

Captain of the Parish of Jurby John Quayle, 81, thinks that the restrictions should be loosened to allow immediate family in, saying: ’Allow family over, provided they isolate under the present rules.

’Obviously those coming in to work have got to isolate, not just think that when they get here they can just do a bit of shopping and then go to work - because that’s where it [coronavirus] could come in from isn’t it?’

Sophie Rudge, 25, Douglas, told us: ’I’ve got family in the UK, my parents and my brother live there - so obviously I want to go across but I think to protect the freedom that we have here, I’m happy for it to stay as it is.

’But I know that there are people who have grandkids that haven’t been able to see them, travel would help that.’

She thinks it is sensible to remain at level four for now, saying ’Because it’s just getting worse in the UK at the moment, so I think it’s not the right time to change something like that.

’It is hard, because I’ve not seen my parents since February and I’ve not seen my best friends since then either.

’And you have to make considerations when you’re thinking of going to the UK, about taking time off if you are to go, to try to plan ahead when it’s quite difficult to.

’I understand’s that’s difficult to stomach - but I think we just have to.’

Sharon Rye, 51, Mount Murray, also thinks the border policy should stay as it is, saying: ’Look how many people have come in and what’s happened.

’We don’t want to go back to the way it was.

’I know they’ve brought in measures, but would we be able to cope with a second wave?

’I don’t think financially the island could cope.’

Asked about letting immediate family in, she said: ’I mean if they can guarantee that their immediate family was going somewhere to isolate away from everywhere else, then maybe, yeah - you can’t be that down on people.’

Bonnie Parsons, 15, of Mount Murray agrees.

’I think it should stay the same, just for now, just until everything slows down.

’And then maybe move it down (the level) when everything’s settled.

’It just depends on the situation.’