A ‘strong level’ of spread of coronavirus within households is ‘inevitable’, Chief Minister Howard Quayle has told Tynwald.

He also revealed an exit strategy that could see any remaining border restrictions lifted by September.

In a statement to an online sitting of Tynwald this morning, he said: ‘The current situation remains serious but there are signs for cautious optimism.’

He said that it was expected that as the initial infections dropped off: ‘A strong level of spread within households is unfortunately inevitable.’

The chief minister said the framework for exiting Covid-19 restrictions would be made public today.

The strategy covers three stages: preparation, transition and release.

Mr Quayle hopes for all adults to have been offered a first dose of vaccine by May, and their second dose in July, with children’s vaccinations to follow. It was hoped to have all over-18s vaccinated by September which could then be the point when any remaining border restrictions could be lifted.

However, he said none of that was set in stone.

‘We can only remove all restrictions when it is prudent to do so,’ he said.

The ultimate aim was for the island to switch its strategy from elimination to mitigation and for the island to be out of restrictions by September.

The government had to be ready to put in place extra measures – or remove them – as rapidly as possible. That included continued readiness for circuit breaker lockdowns.

Mr Quayle The exit strategy was a living document that would need to change in response to developments with the pandemic.

‘There is now hope. There is a now a way forward. And taking tentative, cautious steps, we will move forward together.’

Mr Quayle also said the island’s vaccination programme would be ‘on a par with the UK’ by the end of the month.