The island is all set to leave lockdown on Monday.

And from this weekend people from different households will be able to gather together inside so long as the groups are of no more than 10 people.

For the sixth day in the row there have been no new cases of Covid – and it’s been 17 days with no unexplained cases in the community.

There are now just 12 active cases, down from a high of 114 new cases on March 7 and 872 active cases on March 16, and there is now no one in hospital with coronavirus.

The Council of Ministers met today (Thursday) to discuss giving the all-clear to come out of lockdown 3.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said: ‘We agreed that, based on the data, our society can fully reopen on Monday.

‘All children can return to school, pre-school, nursery or their childminder.

‘Businesses can reopen including the hospitality, indoor leisure and lifestyle sectors. All limits on gatherings will be lifted. People can return to their place of work. Sport can fully resume.

‘The legal restrictions currently in place will be lifted at one minute past midnight on Sunday night into Monday morning.’

The Chief Minister said the Council of Ministers recognised this lockdown has felt different and the restrictions have become more challenging to live with.

So from one minute past midnight on Friday night into Saturday morning people from different households will be able to gather together inside.

But the Chief Minister said: ‘For Saturday and Sunday, we are asking you to limit this – like outdoor gatherings – to groups of no more than 10 people. This is not a free for all. Please continue to act responsibly. If you can maintain social distancing please do. And we still recommend face coverings.’

But Mr Quayle said for now, our borders will remain at level 4 with the existing testing and isolation arrangements.