There is one new case of Covid-19 on the island the government said this afternoon.

That brings the total number of active cases to 39 and the total number overall recorded to 418.

The total number of tests is 24,873, with concluded tests 24,861.

The new case was a Day One test for a traveller who was already isolating.

Health Minister David Ashford said on the use of face coverings: 'I hope that we can all show some understanding to those who may be the more vulnerable in our society. If people are seen without a mask they may have a very specific and legitimate reason. The Sunflower Lanyard is a discreet sign they may request support. Please be considerate.’

Mr Ashford also said that the Isle of Man Airport vaccination hub was coming online at the end of month, and that there was scope for other hubs. He said: 'People may have seen work going on within Chester Street car park and the old Shoprite store site - this is being fitted-out as a vaccination hub in February to replace Newlands. There is ample space for social distancing there.’

Director of public health Dr Henrietta Ewart said that it was good there was only one new case, saying: ’It’s absolutely to be expected, as long as people are coming across the border, we will have cases.

'As for cases arising in the community - we have not seen any for the last three days, which is "green shoots" of very good news. It certainly looks like we’re going in the right direction.

’We need to keep going, we can’t relax yet, but things are looking encouraging,’ she said.

Dr Ewart also mentioned that the newly identified symptom by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, a shortness of breath, has been added formally to the other three symptoms: a temperature/fever, a new continuous cough and a change in taste or smell.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said that the fact that there had been just one new case showed that current measures in place were doing what they were designed to do.He said: 'It’s encouraging that we have not seen community cases today, but we should not read too much into it yet.'

Mr Quayle continued: 'There is a lot of uncertainty. One thing I can tell you is that lockdown will continue for as long as we think necessary. We need to get this right and not rush this. Most importantly, the vaccination programme is continuing at pace. The last thing we want to do is rush, to find that we still have Covid in the community and have to lockdown again.

'We have identified Monday as an important day to make the next step. We will consider advice of clinical and public health experts.

We have to be flexible and adapt to the situation. If we continue to see a positive outlook, then we may decide to take gradual cautious steps back to normality with a tapered approach.’

Touching on financial support, Mr Quayle said that there has been more than 2,000 applications for the Manx Earnings Replacement Allowance, with 1,000 approved and to be issued shortly.

Mr Quayle concluded his speech by paying tribute to the engineering and manufacturing trades, who he said have found solutions and manufactured supplies for Noble’s, when supplies have been unavailable from other routes or a unique design is required.