The Lieutenant Governor could be asked to lift the state of emergency following a Tynwald debate next week.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle told a press briefing yesterday (Monday) that a meeting of the Council of Ministers that day had discussed bringing to an end the emergency period.

Mr Quayle was speaking as it was confirmed the island has had 19 days with no new cases of coronavirus and there remains no active cases.

Mr Quayle said emergency powers had been brought in to allow the government to move ’quickly and decisively’ to deal with the threat of Covid-19.

But he said exiting from them was far more complex and if emergency powers were lifted today (Tuesday) the government would not be able to maintain the border closure and quarantine requirements.

Mr Quayle said CoMin was working with all Tynwald members to look at putting some emergency powers into existing or temporary legislation ahead of a ’proper’ Tynwald debate next week. If this move was approved, ’we will be able to invite the Lieutenant Governor to lift the emergency’, the Chief Minister said.

He said the state of emergency may need to be extended for a little longer ’while we put this important plan in place’.

The Council of Ministers yesterday also agreed to broaden the guidance on the type of reasons for which compassionate travel to the island would be allowed.

He stressed the 14-day quarantine requirement would remain in place and prior permission would need to be obtained.

From June 11 there will be a slight change to the categories to allow Manx residents to travel and return for over-riding personal, family or health requirements to allow, for example, visits to children or supporting unwell parents.

Non-Manx residents will be able to apply to travel here to provide support for elderly, frail or otherwise vulnerable relatives or deal with the estates of Manx family residents.

Mr Quayle was asked whether the government would intervene over today’s Black Lives Matter demonstration and possible counter-demonstration.

He said: ’Politicians can’t interfere with policing. I cannot tell the Chief Constable that this is not to happen. It’s not for government to approve or deny a protest. This is an operational matter for the police.

’Of course, myself and all members of the government support the Black Lives Matter gathering or members of the public wanting to show their support.

’We are still in the middle of a coronavirus outbreak. If we have large numbers at this protest I would just like them to think about their social distancing and is it right for them to be there. There are ways to do it responsibly.’

Pupils in Years 2 (aged five to six) and 6 (aged 10 to 11), 10 (aged 14 to 15) and 12 (aged 16 to 17) are returning to school from June 22.

Education Minister Dr Alex Allinson said if the health situation remained stable, the department would accelerate its intention to allow reception and year 9 pupils to return, followed by years 1, 4 and 8 and shortly afterwards years 3, 5 and 7.