People returning home from this Wednesday will be able to quarantine at home.

The quarantining of residents, at their own expense, at the Comis Hotel, has been one of the most divisive policies the government has instigated since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

From tomorrow, residents who return on the sailings from Heysham will be able to quarantine at home, if they can prove that in doing so, they would not create any extra risk for residents.

To do this, people must be able to prove they can stay somewhere - their home, a hotel, a holiday cottage or any other accommodation - where the only people present would be those who have travelled back to the island.

Once in their place of residence, people would be required to remain there for 14 days and not go outside unless they have access to a private garden which is not shared with anyone else.

They must also be able to prove that they would have a support network capable of bringing food and other supplies to them.

Mr Quayle said:’The Department of Health and Social Care will issue legal directions that detail the requirements around quarantine and the penalties in place.

’Those returning will have to confirm they have understood the obligations and conditions on them.’

The Council of Ministers has also warned that if the steps taken show that they increase the risks to island residents, they will change them.

Residents will still only be allowed to return on one sailing a week from Heysham.

The quarantining of residents, at their own expense, at the Comis Hotel, has been one of the most divisive policies the government has instigated since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.