Islanders face an Easter like no other in living memory, but must continue to carry out social distancing.

Health and Social Care Minister David Ashford gave a statement to Tynwald at the start of this week’s sitting in place of Chief Minister Howard Quayle.

Mr Ashford said that families will have to enjoy a different kind of Easter weekend, but that it is necessary as the island continues to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

He added: ’Many people would be looking forward to spending the long Easter break with families and friends, now we must stay inside.’

The Health Minister said people would need to adapt their plans to have online egg hunts, Skype family members and enjoy Manx lamb at home.

Affording a little joke at his own expense, Mr Ashford said: ’Trust me, I well know, you can still manage to have family arguments online.’

Speaking on behalf of Mr Quayle, the Health Minister wished Prime Minister Boris Johnson a speedy recovery after he was moved to an intensive care unit at St Thomas’ hospital in London.

He said that any Manx residents still off island, need to contact the Cabinet Office as moves are being made in order to allow them to come home. Residents will have to be invited to sail on the Ben-my-Chree on selective sailings and go into quarantine once they arrive in the island.

It was also confirmed by Mr Ashford that the island’s reciprocal health agreement with the United Kingdom will cover any residents who require treatment off island.

Mr Ashford also praised the way Tynwald has reacted to the crisis which has seen the world’s oldest continuous parliament move online and held virtually. He told members ’we have adapted’ and that the island’s community has shown it ’is stronger working together’.

We will have more coverage of this week’s Tynwald sitting and the latest news on the Covid-19 pandemic in this week’s Manx Independent, available in shops and online from Thursday.