The island is now in its 17th day with no community cases of coronavirus.

And the circuit break lockdown is on track to end as planned at one minute past midnight on Sunday/Monday.

Schools will reopen, we can return to work and social distancing and face coverings will become a matter of personal choice.

Two new cases of Covid have been detected in the last 24 hours.

But both are travel related and identified through day one testing when they were already in self-isolation.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said: ‘While of course any new cases on the Island are disappointing, it is not surprising given the situation across in the UK and beyond.

‘It is reassuring that those people are already in self-isolation because of travel. I wish them a speedy recovery.

‘Today is the 17th day where we have seen no unexplained community cases. This is a remarkable achievement and a cause for real optimism.’

Mr Quayle said he was pleased the number of active cases is now down to a much lower level – 29 – while the number in self-isolation because they had been close contacts of our previous cases is down to 60.

‘It is clear that we are heading in the right direction,’ said Mr Quayle.

‘From Monday, we will no longer be asking you to stay at home. You can go out. See friends. Visit loved ones.

‘We will no longer require face coverings on buses and in taxis for example. Social distance and face coverings will be a matter of personal choice.

‘Some people may choose to continue to wear a face covering. And I would ask everyone to respect that choice.’

From Monday, the borders will return to their pre- circuit break state.

Some office based businesses are considering a phased return, said Mr Quayle.

He confirmed staff would be able to go in over the weekend to prepare for reopening on Monday.

If the lockdown ends as planned, maternity services will return to their normal state and elective surgery will resume on a phased basis, said Health Minister David Ashford.