The Chief Minister announced that the island’s border is going into lockdown, plus there will be on-the-spot fines for breaching new stricter rules on social distancing.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said the border, already closed to non-residents, will now be closed to all new arrivals to prevent coronavirus from spreading further.

And from tonight everyone must stay at home except for very limited reasons even if no one in your family has symptoms.

Mr Quayle warned residents to expect deaths in the following weeks.

In other news, Isle of Man Foodbank is urging the Manx public to keep donating, with volunteers working relentlessly to get food parcels ready not just for its 150 regular clients, but for those in self-isolation or for children facing an earlier ’holiday hunger’ due to schools being closed.

Food stores across the island have reached out to the vulnerable in the community by giving them exclusive shopping times or services.

A new-look Cosy Nook has been described as ’a major statement’ for Port Erin.

Douglas Council’s application for permission to erect a circus tent on an annual basis in Noble’s Park has been approved by planners.

The Manx fishing industry is facing a fight for survival as the market is said to be collapsing due to the pandemic. Dr David Beard, head of the Manx Fish Producers Organisation, says it is a ’dire situation’.

More than 100 volunteers with St John Ambulance are stepping up and helping to look after the island’s most vulnerable residents with back-up ambulance services, community responders and by delivering prescriptions.

Pictures of Station Road and Church Road in Port Erin show the village as a ghost town with posters in practically every shop window, informing customers that the business is closed or due to shut.

Long-delayed work to dredge thousands of tonnes of silt from Peel Marina could begin soon.

Our Island Life section reports on what has been going on in the community before lockdown.

The sports pages give features on individuals who have done the island proud, also ahead of the lockdown, and cover cancellations made.

The Manx Independent also has your letters, What’s On, a page of puzzles, a page of pictures from the past, readers’ photos, a seven-day television guide and lots of community news.

The Manx Independent is in the shops now.

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You can also read it online if you buy the digital edition. It should be uploaded by 7.30am.

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