Phased re-opening of residential homes from Monday

15-minute visits to start at seven of eight homes affected

Residential care homes across the Island will begin to reopen from Monday following temporary closures due to the spread of Covid-19.

Eight homes closed their doors to visitors and new admissions earlier this month, due to what was described as 'operational challenges'.

Seven of the homes currently affected in Douglas, Port St Mary and Ramsey will start to relax measures from Monday.

Pre-arranged visits will be allowed as long as they're booked in advance with the homes' management teams and are restricted to 15 minute appointments.

Visitors will also need to complete a lateral flow test, sanitize their hands and wear face coverings.

Residents are not advised to leave the care home for outside visits with the exception of urgent or emergency medical treatments, though.

Meanwhile, restrictions will stay in place at Rearyt Ny Baie in Douglas until at least 20 August following an outbreak of Covid-19 within the home last month.

Manx Care says it will review these measures again on 27 August.