These images expose the sweeping impact the coronavirus threat has had almost overnight on the island’s high streets.

A stroll down Station Road in Port Erin and back up Church Road will find posters in practically every shop window, informing customers that the business is closed or due to shut.

Some are resolutely defiant in the face of Covid-19.

Port Erin Chippy, for example, has been opening for business every day.

But you are advised to wait outside until the customer in front has left the shop and if you are waiting in the queue, keep two metres apart.

Queue markers have been placed on the pavement to act as a guide.

Thompson Travel is operating a closed door policy while next door Cafe Red has been forced to close, just like all restaurants and bars.

Mal’s Butchers is staying open but because of social distancing, only two customers are allowed in the shop at any one time.

Both the Haven and the railway station are closed, as is the Station Hotel.

Chrystals estate agents has also shut but they are taking calls.

Port Hair Inn salon has closed with immediate effect for the next two weeks, after which the situation will be reviewed.

Blackford and Co has closed its ’public-facing office’ doors until further notice.

And Mantons gift and cardshop closed from 1pm on Tuesday, a poster saying the decision had been made with ’great sadness’.

It notes: ’We tried to stay open as long as we could by implementing measures to ensure social and physical distance. ’Unfortunately, we have to say that a lot of people did not comply with these measures, putting our team and other customers at risk.’

The Good Health Shop is staying open and is even promoting ecological cleaning products.

The Co-op remains open but with reduced hours in the evening and a maximum of six to eight customers at any one time.

Erin News had asked that only one customer at a time entered the shop but has now decided to close.

Port Erin Pets has closed but is taking orders for deliveries in the south .

Age Concern has shut its store, too.

’We are currently remodelling our charity’s services to do everything we possibly can to keep older people safe and well,’ it informs customers.

It had been business as usual at Cuts Both Ways salon, with clients asked to be ’sensible and take necessary precautions’ but this will have to close from tonight.

All ’non-essential’ shops have had to shut under one of the measures announced by Chief Minister Howard Quayle at a press briefing Wednesday.

The Falcon’s Nest is closed until further notice.

Round the corner on to Church Road, S & M Harrison shoe shop had tried to continue to offer a service as long as possible.

Customers were requested to wear a new pair of surgical gloves which are provided before handling any shoes.

Next door, Lloyds Pharmacy is closed between 2pm and 3pm ’due to unprecedented demand’.

Port Erin post office also remains open, with customers advised to keep a safe distance from each other.

Simply Stylish is closed for the next two weeks.

Beauty Room and Coco Tanning, and salon No.16 next door had remained open but they too have had to closed from tonight as they are deemed ’non-essential’.

New Generation sewing and knitting supplies is closed until further notice.

Trend gift shop is closed for the immediate future but is providing a delivery service.

Across the road, K5 tax and accountancy says it is ’regrettably shutting our doors to limit access to the premises to staff only’.

And LV-W Law had no admittance except by prior appointment.

Black Grace Cowley is closed and staff are working from home.

Back on Station Road, Clear Pharmacy is closing for lunch from 1pm to 2pm ’due to the high volume of customers’.

Isle of Man Bank is shutting its Port Erin branch after close of business tonight (Thursday).

It’s a pattern that’s repeated in towns and villages across the island.

Dwindling numbers of customers, as more and more of us self-isolate, may force other shops to close.

Government has unveiled a £100m package to support employers and jobs including £3,000 grants to be extended to the small retail sector.

The best hope for many is that this Covid-19 crisis ends soon, the unseen enemy vanishing as quickly as it came.

But you can be sure the high street will bounce back.

* We’ve been asked to make clear that the Good Health Store in Port Erin remains open.

A report in the Manx Independent suggested it would close. We are happy to set the record straight.