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| image via Britannica |
Residents of the Isle of Man are returning to 'near normal' conditions after the government scrapped mask and social distancing rules and ended a brief lockdown.
The self-governing island, part of the British Isles, exited a 25-day 'circuit break' lockdown after no 'unexplained' COVID cases were detected since a small outbreak in early January.
On Monday, roughly 85,000 residents resumed their customary lifestyles, with some exceptions pertaining to strict border controls and international travel rules.
The #IsleofMan has exited lockdown after a 25 day “circuit break” succeeded in stopping community spread of COVID-19. https://t.co/PMHo5AXNnS #IOM #Manx 🇮🇲🌈 pic.twitter.com/jujF9TBRWp
— Isle of Man Government (@IOMGovernment) February 1, 2021
"All businesses required to close or switch to a take-away service as part of the circuit break are free to reopen and return to normal service with immediate effect. The Island's schools will reopen today and the majority of public services will return to normal operation in the coming days."
Pub owners opened their doors to joyful customers at the stroke of midnight.
“It’s wonderful to be back in here,” local blacksmith George Kneale told The Guardian while sipping a beer at the White House Hotel in Peel. “We’re in fine fettle. Having that bit of water between us and the U.K. can really help sometimes.”
Cheers 🍺 Seven Kingdoms in Douglas welcomed customers in at one minute past midnight this morning, the moment lockdown restrictions were eased on the Isle of Man. pic.twitter.com/X8NIS7dnw3
— Alex Bell (@alexrbell) February 1, 2021
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