The Isle of Man takes its biggest step back towards normality since the pandemic began next week.

Officials are keeping their fingers crossed that the new border controls work smoothly.

The first sailing to the island under the new rules will leave Heysham in the early hours of Monday morning, with expected passenger numbers more than three times the average for Monday sailings.

There are similar increases in passenger numbers expected at Ronaldsway Airport.

The main change is the implementation of a ’2+2’ pathway to enter the island.

From Monday, people may enter the island without being tested or having to isolate if they are travelling from the Common Travel Area (CTA) of the UK, Ireland or Channel Islands, have not travelled outside of that area in the 10 days prior to travelling to the Isle of Man, and are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

But travellers will need to have had both doses of the coronavirus vaccine administered within the CTA two weeks before travelling.

Children aged between five and 17 years old will still have to enter the island via the ’test and release’ pathway, which will cost £30 per child.

Via the ’test and release’ pathway, residents, family, partners and property owners can enter the island if they are only part or not vaccinated, or have received both vaccinations outside of the CTA.

This pathway costs £30 per person, as they must have a Covid-19 PCR test within 48 hours of arrival, and isolate until they receive a negative result.

Another test on day six also must be taken.

If travellers do not wish to undergo testing, they are required to self-isolate for 21 days.

The final pathway to enter the island is a ’seven-day’ pathway which applies to those who have travelled outside of the CTA in the 10 days prior to travelling to the island (regardless of whether they are fully, part or not vaccinated).

Those entering under this pathway also must undergo the £30 testing procedures, with a PCR test within 48 hours of arrival and one on day six.

However, travellers arriving under these conditions must remain in isolation for seven days even if their first test comes back negative.

If their day-six test is negative, they may then leave isolation on day seven.

For those planning to travel to the island, the process of applying to enter has also changed.

Before departing, travellers have to complete a landing form within 48 hours prior to arrival - a process familiar to many who have made the journey in recent months.

Visitors travelling under the new 2+2 exemptions will now be required to upload evidence that they are fully vaccinated (with two weeks passed since the second dose).

This can be a screen-grab of their NHS app, a photo/scan of their vaccination card, or an eligible vaccination proof letter/certificate.

Once the government has accepted this proof of vaccination, travellers will be issued with a confirmation email to show at the border upon their arrival.

For those who are unable to complete their form prior to arrival, paper copies will be available at the airport and sea terminal upon arrival.

All visitors will also be required to show ID upon arrival, regardless of their residential status or method of arrival.

This can include a passport, driving licence or an official ID card.

Passengers are still required to wear face coverings on the boat, on aeroplanes and in terminals and social distance where possible.

For those arriving with their vehicles at the Sea Terminal, drivers will be directed to follow a new access road round to the adjoining Parade Street car park, which has been reconfigured into a circular layout for ferry traffic to aide in border enforcement and document checks.

It is also hoped the new lanes will ensure freight traffic will not be adversely affected by any potential delays.

Drivers will be directed into one of several lanes after teams from the Cabinet Office establish the status of their landing paperwork - if they have not been able to complete all of the relevant paperwork before arriving in Douglas, they will be directed into a specific lane to receive assistance.

More information regarding the new border rules and procedures is available at visitisleofman.com and in this week’s Courier.