This week has seen the announcement of the first relaxation in restrictions since lockdown was brought in to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle delivered the message on Tuesday after he ended his 14-day self-isolation after testing positive for the virus.

The number of deaths in the island has increased - and now stands at 16. Thirteen of them were residents of Abbotswood nursing home in Ballasalla.

A round-up of the week:

Friday, April 17

â?¢ Seven more Covid-19 cases are confirmed on Friday, bringing the total to 291.

â?¢ The 2020 editions of the Royal Manx Agricultural Show and the Southern Agricultural Show are both officially cancelled.

â?¢ Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan announces that a cross-governmental task force has been planning the next steps: ’The task force has assessed that the time is right for us to be able to make some changes to our measures, changes that may allow for a gradual return to normality while social distancing guidelines continue to be observed.’

â?¢ Mr Cannan reveals that workers from the construction and horticulture sectors might be able to go back to work at the end of next week: ’We are seeking to commence a carefully phased and structured return to work from next Friday for some sectors.’

â?¢ The lockdown in the UK will continue for at least another three weeks. UK Foreign secretary Dominic Raab said that experts still cannot be sure the coronavirus epidemic has peaked.

Saturday, April 18

â?¢ The Isle of Man’s Covid-19 death toll rises to six after two deaths are confirmed in the community. A ’community death’ is one that occurred outside a hospital setting.

â?¢ The two community deaths were residents of the Abbotswood nursing home in Ballasalla, where another resident had previously died in hospital. Health Minister David Ashford reveals that there have been 37 confirmed Covid-19 cases amongst residents at Abbotswood.

â?¢ It is confirmed that 47 healthcare workers - including hospital staff and social care workers - have tested positive for Covid-19 to date. Four are currently hospitalised and 30 are active cases.

â?¢ Six more Covid-19 cases are confirmed on Saturday for a total of 297.

â?¢ The number of Covid-19 deaths in UK hospitals passes 15,000. According to the UK Department of Health and Social Care, 15,464 people have died in UK hospitals after testing positive for Covid-19 - a rise of 888 on the previous day. The overall deaths for each nation are as follows: 13,918 in England, 893 in Scotland, 534 in Wales and 193 in Northern Ireland.

Sunday, April 19

â?¢ One more Covid-19 case is confirmed on Sunday bringing the total to 298.

Monday, April 20

â?¢ A further three Covid-19 deaths in the community are announced. All three were residents of Abbotswood nursing home. This brings the overall death toll in the Isle of Man to nine.

â?¢ The Isle of Man’s on-island Covid-19 testing laboratory, based in Noble’s Hospital, comes online and starts accepting swabs. The facility can process up to 200 tests per day and will reduce the turnaround time to as little as 24 hours. David Ashford says it will ’revolutionise’ the island’s ability to respond to the crisis.

â?¢ The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the Isle of Man reaches 300. Two more cases are confirmed.

Tuesday, April 21

â?¢ Chief Minister Howard Quayle returns to work, having completed his 14-day self-isolation after becoming symptomatic and testing positive for Covid-19. ’I am through the symptoms now,’ Mr Quayle said. ’But I do have to share with you that it is a horrid and debilitating condition.’

â?¢ The Chief Minister announces that some lockdown measures will be ’adjusted’ from 6am on Friday (April 24): ’This is not about relaxing our measures,’ Mr Quayle said. ’But we are adjusting them to achieve a more sustainable, fairer and healthier balance.’

â?¢ From Friday morning, some recreational activities will be permitted and there will be no limits on how much time residents can spend outside of their homes. However, all social distancing rules will remain in place: people must stay apart from anyone they don’t live with and residents should continue to work at home wherever possible.

â?¢ From Friday morning, builders, construction workers, tradesmen, window cleaners and gardeners can return to work. However, social distancing and safety measures must be observed: ’We will not hesitate to close down construction sites, retail premises, industrial units or any other premises where there is disregard for public or workforce safety,’ Mr Quayle warned.

â?¢ The Chief Minister confirms that the Isle of Man’s borders will remain closed until further notice.

â?¢ Seven more Covid-19 cases are confirmed for a total of 307.

Wednesday, April 22

â?¢ A further six Covid-19 deaths in the community are announced. All six were residents of Abbotswood care home. This means that all 11 community deaths in the Isle of Man to date are related to the outbreak at Abbotswood. A 12th resident of Abbotswood died from Covid in hospital.

â?¢ Chief Constable Gary Roberts reveals that domestic abuse calls have increased by 145% during the lockdown, with officers attending up to five incidents a day.

Calls for help relating to mental health have increased by 40% in the last fortnight. Road traffic collisions are down by 80% and crime is down by 30%. But over 40 arrests have been made for breaches of the Covid-19 regulations in two weeks: ’We have a tiny, tiny, tiny minority of people who think that the law doesn’t apply to them’, Mr Roberts said.

â?¢ There were no positive tests confirmed on Wednesday. This is the first day with no new cases since March 25.

â?¢ The total number of deaths in the Isle of Man due to Covid-19 now stands at 15.

Thursday, April 23

â?¢ Retired farmer Bob Corkish, aged 93, has raised more than £13,900 for the Friends of Noble’s Hospital since the weekend. He aims to walk 100 laps of the courtyard at the care home in the next few weeks.

â?¢ One further death in the community is announced, bringing the total number of deaths from Covid-19 up to 16. It’s the 13th resident of Abbotswood nursing home to die from coronavirus.

â?¢ For the second day in a row, no new cases were reported.