The biggest relaxation in restrictions since the lockdown began takes place today (Monday).

It is the biggest one-day change since the island went into lockdown on March 26 to combat the coronavirus.

Firstly, the legal requirement to social distance has been removed altogether, except for health and care settings.

Announcing the move at a press briefing on Thursday, Chief Minister Howard Quayle said the removal of social distancing would allow society to come back together and enable the economy to thrive.

Today restaurants and cafes will be able to open for indoor dining subject to some safeguards.

And the island’s pubs can open in line with restaurants, offering seated service either indoors or outdoors, with drinks, where there is a ’substantive meal served’.

Mr Quayle has already indicated that pubs may be fully open by June 29.

He told the press on Thursday that he wanted all remaining restrictions on leisure and hospitality, including pubs, clubs, theatres and cinemas, to be removed ’sooner rather than later’.

Big new announcements are expected this week.

From today, 30 people can meet together outside. The rule for inside remains two.

Gyms will reopen with some adjustments, the island’s hotels can open their doors, while the island’s nurseries and playgroups will be able to accept all children from Monday.

All of the Department of Education’s school sites will reopen and pupils currently at the island’s hub schools will return to their schools on June 17.

Pupils in years 2, 6, 10 and 12 will be invited to return to their schools on June 22. Attendance will be voluntary until September.

Finally the all-island speed limit of 40mph, introduced on March 28 to minimise the load on Noble’s Hospital, will increase to 60mph.

It is the biggest one-day change since the island went into lockdown on March 26 to combat the coronavirus.

Firstly, the legal requirement to social distance has been removed altogether, except for health and care settings.

Announcing the move at a press briefing on Thursday, Chief Minister Howard Quayle said the removal of social distancing would allow society to come back together and enable the economy to thrive.

Today restaurants and cafes will be able to open for indoor dining subject to some safeguards.

And the island’s pubs can open in line with restaurants, offering seated service either indoors or outdoors, with drinks, where there is a ’substantive meal served’.

Mr Quayle has already indicated that pubs may be fully open by June 29.

He told the press on Thursday that he wanted all remaining restrictions on leisure and hospitality, including pubs, clubs, theatres and cinemas, to be removed ’sooner rather than later’.

Big new announcements are expected this week.

From today, 30 people can meet together outside. The rule for inside remains two.

Gyms will reopen with some adjustments, the island’s hotels can open their doors, while the island’s nurseries and playgroups will be able to accept all children from Monday.

All of the Department of Education’s school sites will reopen and pupils currently at the island’s hub schools will return to their schools on June 17.

Pupils in years 2, 6, 10 and 12 will be invited to return to their schools on June 22. Attendance will be voluntary until September.

Finally the all-island speed limit of 40mph, introduced on March 28 to minimise the load on Noble’s Hospital, will increase to 60mph.