The government’s policy of imposing self-isolation on everyone who comes into contact with a positive Covid-19 case has been criticised by a local restaurateur.

It makes no sense to allow visitors from off-island to mingle with the public immediately after getting a negative result, while locals must remain in isolation until they have had a second test eight days later, says Bernie Sullivan of the Mona Lisa Italian restaurant in Laxey.

Mrs Sullivan says the impact on the hospitality and retail industries of a policy due to remain in force until the end of August could be ruinous.

She said: ’We have customers in the restaurant who have come off the boat, had a day one test and can then come and eat with us.

’However, I have a member of staff who tested negative through contact tracing but has been told to isolate for 10 days.

’We are treating locals more harshly than visitors. We’re making healthy children stay at home, with parents having to take time off work to look after them. It’s lockdown by the back door. It’s unsustainable for businesses, especially retail and hospitality.’

In England, Covid restrictions are set to be lifted on July 19, at the start of the school summer holiday.

Mrs Sullivan said: ’And yet, we will keep penalising our own population.

’The number of people isolating is going to keep growing day by day. A lot of our workforce is aged 16 to 18. They’ve either had one jab or they’re not getting jabbed at all.

’Every time they come into contact with someone who is positive they will have to isolate.

’We have all these tourists wanting to eat out, but I have a lot of staff who might end up isolating and we’ll end up having to close.

’We have to learn to live with it. I know there are people who are still vulnerable, who can’t be vaccinated. I know people who are protecting themselves, because they know they have to.

’Public health and the open border policy are very much at odds. There’s no consistency. I just want to be able to run my business.’