Covid-19 restrictions surrounding Peel Breakwater will be lifted from the end of this month.

Due to the current pandemic, the government imposed an order which began November 1 to prevent local and visiting fishing crews from mixing.

They were asked to use separate and secure designated areas when berthing in Douglas and Peel - with a one in, one out, system for landing catch.

The area is also closed to the public until May 31.

Security services have been monitoring Peel and Douglas harbours, with the penalty for breaking the rules up to a £10,000 fine or up to three months in prison.

Manx crews have been given identification cards to pass through harbour side security measures.

A statement issued by the Harbours Division of the Department of Infrastructure said: ’The on-going restrictions on Peel Breakwater which were introduced as a Covid-19 border control measure will be eased following the end of the king scallop season on May 31.

’This easing will allow the general public to once more have access to the length of the breakwater subject to normal harbour operations.

’The measures taken at all of the island’s harbours will be commensurate with the levels stipulated by the Isle of Man Government Public Health advice and this is, of course, under constant review.

’The commencement of the queen scallop (queenie) season on July 1, may well see some increase in security, however, this is entirely dictated by the border status at that time.’

The DoI added that ’vessels originating from outside the island who enter any Manx harbour do so by arrangement with the harbours division and under the strict supervision and conditions stipulated by the border team.’

The government recently published a revised exit strategy, outlining the indicative conditions and target dates for changes to the island’s current border restrictions from May 1. It includes the return of unrestricted travel to and from the British Isles from June 28.