People are being urged not to call the Covid-111 service unless they have symptoms of coronavirus.

Government said the emergency helpline is currently experiencing a high volume of calls.

The families of pupils in Year 7 at St Ninian’s Lower School (Bemahague) and Years 3 and 4 at Ballasalla Primary School, as well as teaching and support staff at Ballasalla School should continue to self-isolate and wait to be contacted by the Covid-111 service.

Some Social Security services will be affected by the closure of Markwell House today.

This is for a deep clean to take place, after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19.

The office will re-open tomorrow (Thursday March 4).

Any ongoing social security payments, or the re-opening of MERA for applications from Thursday morning at 9am will remain unaffected by the closure.

The MERA telephone line remains open on 648125, but telephone lines to other benefit teams will not be available today.