Shops may be allowed to re-open from May 18, subject to a final decision next week, as the government begins to ease lockdown restrictions.

There will be an expansion of school hubs, a phased return to studies at University College Isle of Man and new measures on gatherings are being considered.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle announced a series of measures aimed at moving the island towards a ’new normality’.

This followed a lengthy meeting of the Council of Ministers on Thursday when it was agreed that changes would be made to a number of measures in place.

But at a press briefing, he was questioned over his government’s priorities.

While people will have to wait a week before they can find out if they will be allowed to meet up with their children, parents and partners, owners of light aircraft and pleasure craft have been given the go-ahead to take the planes and boats for a spin.

The Chief Minister dismissed the phrasing of the question as ’unfortunate’ and insisted that everyone can see their loved-ones, either in the street or garden, so long as they keep a two-metre distance.

Mr Quayle said there was new advice for those deemed vulnerable and shielding who would now be allowed to take one hour of exercise each day. This was ’an opportunity not an obligation’, he said. ’We know how difficult lockdown has been for so many. There are real benefits to gain from fresh air.’

The Council of Ministers has considered a range of options relating to household to household gatherings and has agreed it needs to be working towards this, said the Chief Minister.

He said a detailed paper had been commissioned, with public health officials leading on workshops. This would report back to Ministers in one week’s time.

Mr Quayle said the Council of Ministers had agreed in principle to allow shops and other retail businesses to re-open from Monday, May 18, but this was subject to a final decision being taken on Thursday (May 14).

The Chief Minister said the Council of Ministers had agreed a phased return to non-essential health services and a detailed plan will go to Ministers next week with an announcement to be made in the week beginning May 18.

These include cancer services that had been suspended, dentistry and elective surgery.

Mr Quayle said government was continuing to work with sporting associations over a phased return of outdoor sports where they could demonstrate this could be done in a safe manner.

But he said Ministers were not yet ready to allow indoor sports to resume or gyms to reopen.

Education hubs will be expanded to accept children of those in sectors permitted to return to work. This will be implemented in close collaboration with teachers and other school staff to ensure the environment is safe for them and the children.

University College Isle of Man will begin a phased return in disciplines, where it is safe to do so.

But nurseries will not be re-opening, and will continue to accept children of key workers only. This will be reviewed again on Thursday, May 14.

Garden centres may open to the public from Monday (May 11), with full social distancing measures in place. Those with cafes must provide takeaway services only, in line with restrictions in place for similar enterprises across the island.

Businesses, particularly those which are office-based, must continue to enable staff to work from home, wherever possible. A phased return may be introduced from Monday, May 25, based on risk assessments that demonstrate an employer’s ability to provide a safe place to work.

Regulations will be adjusted to enable companies to investigate how this may be done, and to allow staff access to premises to put measures in place.

A review of the repatriation process has taken place and an update will be provided on Monday (May 11).

Mr Quayle said guidelines on the use of pleasure craft would be published next week ahead of the possibility of restrictions being lifted from Saturday, May 16.

Light aircraft can begin flying again from Sunday, subject to stringent limitations for maintenance reasons and to enable them to remain airworthy. This in no way changed the measures on borders which remain closed, Mr Quayle stressed.

Two further cases of coronavirus have been confirmed taking the total number to 329, with 40 active cases in the community and hospital.

Mr Quayle said: ’I am pleased to say that there has been no evidence that any of the cases that we have seen over the past two weeks are linked to the sectors that we allowed to return to work on April 24 or indeed any of the changes we made in moving to this "Stay Safe" phase.’