How did you mark the lifting of all social distancing restrictions?

The island let out a big sigh of relief when the Chief Minister announced that there would be no need to stay apart from others from June 15.

We caught up with members of the public on Strand Street, Douglas, to find out how they celebrated the milestone.

’I took the kids to Noble’s Park in Douglas and Mooragh Park in Ramsey,’ said Michelle Scruvens, 36, of Ramsey.

’They loved it as they’ve been locked in the house and have been kept to the front and back gardens.

’It’s been brilliant to get out, but I did find it weird at first. Now it feels like nothing really happened.

’I think the government has done really well.’

She believes the island needs to keep its borders shut to remain safe from the virus.

’We’ve a lovely island and you can still go on holidays here,’ she said.

Her son, Sean, 17, marked the lifting of the restrictions by going for a big walk with his friends.

’It was weird no longer having to social distance. We made jokes about having to stay two metres apart.’

Georgia Maddocks, 22, of Douglas, said: ’We went to Meating Steakhouse in Douglas and that was bizarre being able to go out for a meal after lockdown.

’Last week we also went to The Cat, 1886, Jaks and The Front Porch. It’s nice to go back to normal.

’We live in London and we’re both actors. We’re definitely lucky and happy to be here. It’s just a shock because we were going from singing and rehearsing shows all the time to nothing. We now feel quite out of practise.

’I’ve had teachers ask me to take on some classes and that has given me something to look forward to.’

Lisa Mitchell, 49, marked the occasion by shopping in TK Maxx.

’I felt liberated,’ she said.

The Douglas resident said she enjoys having the freedom of not worrying about social distancing and to be able to make different decisions that don’t make her feel regulated.

The lifting of restrictions was also ’emotional’, she added.

’When I hugged my mum-in-law for the first time I was crying. During lockdown I was dropping off food on her porch and I just wanted to hug her.

’We were the first in the British Isles to drop social distancing - that’s something to be proud of.’

Her friend, Danielle Mitchell, 33, of Peel, said: ’It has been nice to no longer see people look at you as though you have some sort of disease.

’I’m quite a chatty person and I like to meet people, so it’s nice to be able to do that. I think there will be a lot of things we won’t take for granted again.’

Lisa added that her heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones during the pandemic.

Tamsin Armour, 27, of Douglas, went to a midsummer party with friends.

’One of my friends is from Sweden and she holds it every year outside. There was lots of different Swedish foods and lots of flower crowns. It was nice to be with friends that I hadn’t seen in a while.’

She added: ’I think having the restrictions down is really good for the community and for wellbeing.’