It has been a crazy 24 hours! The Isle of Man is returning to lockdown at midnight. We had so many people coming to the shop to buy supplies for masks, and just to keep themselves busy over the next 3 weeks.
We haven't been asked to engage in social distancing prior to the lockdown, but many business have already started doing so. I was in the shop at 8am, putting up signs moving some things around so could make it as safe as possible for the staff and customers. We were only allowing 2-3 customers in the shop at any one time, and using a one-way system. The first customers arrived at 8.45. I rang the Beloved for help at 9.45 (to deal with the telephone), and it wasn't until almost midday I was able to stop to draw breath. The Beloved and the staff are all most fantastically wonderful!
Due to the very robust border policies put in place by our government, we have enjoyed unparalled levels of freedom over the last 6 months. The island had been Covid-free for months. When the border were softened a little, and Manx residents were allowed to leave and return, people required to self-isolate for 14 days. This has worked so well for quite some time. People were returning to the island with Covid, but they were keeping it to themselves. Only a couple of people needed hospital treatment, the rest were able to remain at home.
At the end of December, it was found that 14 days wasn't enough, and on the 23rd of December, new measures were put in place. Testing was required on the 1st, and 13th day, or people could isolate for 21 days. Since then testing on the 6th day has been introduced too.
But despite these measures, this nasty virus has escaped into the community. The borders have been closed, apart form dire need, and from midnight we enter lockdown.
The former owner was not able to offer a collection/delivery service during the pervious lockdown, but I hope to be able to provide on, just to keep things ticking over.
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