The government says the time is not right to reopen sports facilities, bars, restaurants and non-essential shops.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle made the announcement this afternoon as it was revealed that there had been no further positive tests for coronavirus confirmed in the last 48 hours.

However, there has been one further death at the Abbotswood nursing home, taking the total number of deaths in the island to 16.

A total of 13 residents of the Ballasalla care home have now lost their lives to Covid.

Mr Quayle gave further details of what the public can and cannot do following the partial lifting of Covid restrictions from tomorrow.

From 6am on Friday, there will be no limit on the time people can be away from home and trips do not have to be for essential reasons only.

The type of recreation that is allowed has also been widened.

Guidance is being issued on the government website following a Council of Ministers meeting yesterday.

But speaking at a press briefing yesterday afternoon, Mr Quayle said: ‘We are not ready to open sporting events and facilities that bring together groups of people, to minimise the risk of spread.

‘We are not ready to open gyms or sports clubs or allow collective sports.’

Mr Quayle said the public can exercise but must maintain social distancing and importantly only do recreation with people from your household – and not family and friends.

He said: ‘You can walk along the Promenade or in a glen or do yoga on the beach but only with people from your household.

‘We are not in a position to allow you to do this with your extended family. I know it’s tough and we are planning to make this change before too long but we are not ready to do this change yet.’

He said that the island is not yet ready to reopen non-essential shops, bars and restaurants but this will be kept under review.

The government insists the best weapon against the virus is to remain at home.

Director of public health Dr Henrietta Ewart said Covid-19 was circulating in the community and the proportion of cases from travel was now at a very low level.

Health Minister David Ashford said 2,674 tests had been undertaken and results had been received from 2,632, leaving 42 outstanding.

The total number of confirmed cases remains at 307 but 221 are presumed recovered, leaving 70 active cases.