All restrictions on gatherings have been lifted.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle announced at a press briefing today that with immediate effect the legal restriction on the number of people you can welcome into your home is being removed.

At the start of the lockdown, no one from outside your household was allowed into your home. This restriction was later eased so that you can have two visitors from the same household.

’We have stepped out of your home completely now,’ he said.

The legal restriction on gatherings outside has also been lifted with immediate effect. A maximum of 10 people from multiple households had been allowed latterly.

Mr Quayle said the changes had been agreed at a meeting of the Council of Ministers this morning.

They came as the island saw 26 days without any new Covid cases - and on a day a host of other Covid restrictions were lifted including the legal requirement to social distance.

’From today you can go for a meal indoors, you can go back to the gym and you can have friends around for dinner,’ he said.

Removing the legal restriction on social distancing in offices was a ’massive milestone’ said Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly.

Tynwald will meet as normal rather than remotely tomorrow morning (Tuesday).

In other moves, pubs, bars and clubs can open as normal from Thursday (June 18) if they are ready to do so as can cinemas and theatres.

More intensive aerobic exercise gyms and swimming pools can also reopen on Thursday when they are ready to do so.

The speed limit, lifted to 60mph from today, will change back to its pre-Covid levels on Monday June 22.

’We have almost taken the final steps out of your lives,’ said the Chief Minister. ’You have truly earned it.’

Mr Quayle said some restrictions would have to be brought back if further Covid cases were seen in the island.