Key workers due to be swabbed for COVID-19 at the drive-through test facility in Newport faced a lengthy wait this morning (Wednesday) due to the Army missing the ferry over to the Isle of Wight.
Island Echo is told a queue of around 50 cars formed earlier on today with Islanders waiting several hours to be tested – a process which could take just minutes.
It is claimed that the delays are as a result of Army personnel (who are conducting the tests) missing the ferry – something that is being deemed a ‘logistical issue’.
A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Council has said:
“Due to unforeseen logistical issues the testing facility arrived later than anticipated on the Island today, but is now up and running”.
Maybe they will now know what it’s like living on a island relieing on a ferry service
Good one Bert!!! Wanker
Oooo touchy touchy
The ferries mean the island as one of the lowest corona virus rates in the country.
Why would they care ?
maybe they couldn’t be bothered to check the timetable and just turned up. They then noticed that they had just missed one.
Yeah because they are used to armed combat which must be a breeze by comparison….
Can’t miss a fixed link. Also a fixed link would have been easier to close and stop all the people coming to their second home as it’ll be a single point of entry and not run by greedy businesses.
Wondered when the fixed link losers would appear from under their rock, Idiot!
I honestly cannot understand the backlash from certain portions of the community RE: a fixed link, Here’s why.
I do not intend to ruffle any feathers, just put forward some logical reasons for consideration.
1: The islands ferry service is at best ludicrously expensive and at worst darn right unreliable, with often inconvenient service patterns, run for profit by shareholder, not for the good of residents.
2: I know at this time we should be staying indoors, but there are many residents who are key workers and need to travel to the mainland and back, or those who still have urgent hospital appointments in Pompey or S’ton, for whom the current service patterns just do not work. They say it’s to protect the island, but we all know it’s about £notes.
3: Some people say that by having a fixed link, we would not be an island anymore. Well while this technically may be true, we don’t say that because of the channel tunnel we are part of France or mainland Europe for example.
4: A fixed link would be far more reliable and probably cheaper to use, no dependency on weather, staffing of boats & technical issues. This would allow people to come and go as they please, which in turn could significantly boost the tourist trade, as may may who don’t come now because of the time & costs involved may choose the island for a day out. also at this time it would be easier to police, who was coming and going from the most un-spoilt corner of the UK.
5: If patients need transferring from st Mary’s to the mainland urgently, this would allow a timely transfer, without the use of the overstretched air ambulance.
6: if the fixed link was a tunnel, you wouldn’t even know it was there, there would be no eyesore, and no visible link for those for whom it may offend.
7: We are now in the 21st century, things move on, we should not be constrained by the past, but take the best of it, whilst embracing change. we used to have outside toilets and coal fires, now most people prefer to have double glazing and an inside loo. Our shops used to open 9-5 with half day closing on Wed/Sat. As it now takes two incomes to afford to run a household, shops have adapted, and for most the greater flexibility is appreciated. We now have the internet, which although has some detractors, opens up a world of possibilities, one could only have dreamed of a few years back. I feel sorry for some of the elderly, who have chosen not to embrace this and have been left behind. But that is their choice, anyone I know of retirement age plus, has embraced it with open arms. Nostalgia is wonderful, we all say the good old days, but sadly the world keeps turning, as Billy Joel said.
I’m just curious as to why so many people are against it? I would love to find some good counter arguments from your perspective.
Resident of Lake.
Hmmm, I’ve been watching you on here black rat twat, and anyone that doesn’t agree with your way of not thinking is an idiot! You would have been popular in Germany about 1940. Look in the mirror, theres the idiot!
Anyone know how/where to book a test for the over 60’s ?
Thought they had they’re own transport ….?
Sounds more like Dads Army
Crikey that’s great for the army! Are they led by Captain Mannering! Good job we are not at WAR !!
Which volume of the council’s book of standard excuses did that one come from?
Surely the ferry company could of waited for the army to have arrived, after all I’m sure the rest of the passengers would have understood, seeing as the ferries are for ESSENTIAL travel !!!!!!!!!
Should have used the Navy to do it .They wouldn’t be late
Yes – where exactly are the Navy in all of this. There must be a surplus of capable RN bods swanning about in the Dockyard, on our very doorstep, so why aren’t they presenting themselves in support?
You can tell Bert lives on the I.O.W he cannot spell
I dont understand why we cant have one down here permanently considering there is the issue of missing the ferry and considering they only left a couple of days ago.
Missed the ferry, is it Dad’s Army?
Very quiet roads but still missed the boat….enough said!
Unbelievable, beggars believe that the boats was running on time or not cancelled
I am sure Labour can make some capital out of this as all I have seen is criticism of everything that the government have done during this crisis despite its protestations about supporting the government! obvious lies!
How about :> “It should have been the police doing it!”
“It should have been the NHS arranging it!”
“Why was it not delivered overnight!”
or their usual:> “I had warned about this happening some time ago”
Roma, do some reverse thinking, Do you think people would accept this chaos if it were a Labour government in power?
Personally I think all political parties are rubbish, you should try it, it opens your eyes.
As for this country, we’re nearly at the top of the sad league of loosing people to the virus. Still think we’re on the correct path? Stay safe x
I recon if Labour were in power then the Conservatives would have offered to join the then government to assist in any way it could.
I also doubt that Labour would hold any press conferences preferring instead to concentrate on foreign aid!
Just had a terrible thought suppose it had been the lib-dems in power > enough to made you vince oops – I meant wince!
I thought they were brought in because of their superior logistic skills to us mere civilians…
I am sure Labour can make some capital out of this as all I have seen is criticism of everything that the government have done during this crisis despite its protestations about supporting the government! – obvious lies!
How about :>
“It should have been the police doing it!”
“It should have been the NHS arranging it!”
“Why was it not delivered overnight!”
or their usual:>
“I had warned about this happening some time ago”
Im sure the NHS and Police have Enough on Their plate already. Wait you warned about them missing the ferry some time ago can you preict my future as well.
I am sure Labour can make some capital out of this as all I have seen is criticism of everything that the government have done during this crisis despite its protestations about supporting the government! obvious lies!
How about :> “It should have been the police doing it!”
“It should have been the NHS arranging it!”
“Why was it not delivered overnight!”
or their usual:> “I had warned about this happening some time ago”
Who’s going to argue against CA tunnel or bridge now eh?
For all the thumbs down regarding this comment, I honestly cannot understand the backlash from certain portions of the community RE: a fixed link, Here’s why.
I do not intend to ruffle any feathers, just put forward some logical reasons for consideration.
1: The islands ferry service is at best ludicrously expensive and at worst darn right unreliable, with often inconvenient service patterns, run for profit by shareholder, not for the good of residents.
2: I know at this time we should be staying indoors, but there are many residents who are key workers and need to travel to the mainland and back, or those who still have urgent hospital appointments in Pompey or S’ton, for whom the current service patterns just do not work. They say it’s to protect the island, but we all know it’s about £notes.
3: Some people say that by having a fixed link, we would not be an island anymore. Well while this technically may be true, we don’t say that because of the channel tunnel we are part of France or mainland Europe for example.
4: A fixed link would be far more reliable and probably cheaper to use, no dependency on weather, staffing of boats & technical issues. This would allow people to come and go as they please, which in turn could significantly boost the tourist trade, as may may who don’t come now because of the time & costs involved may choose the island for a day out. also at this time it would be easier to police, who was coming and going from the most un-spoilt corner of the UK.
5: If patients need transferring from st Mary’s to the mainland urgently, this would allow a timely transfer, without the use of the overstretched air ambulance.
6: if the fixed link was a tunnel, you wouldn’t even know it was there, there would be no eyesore, and no visible link for those for whom it may offend.
7: We are now in the 21st century, things move on, we should not be constrained by the past, but take the best of it, whilst embracing change. we used to have outside toilets and coal fires, now most people prefer to have double glazing and an inside loo. Our shops used to open 9-5 with half day closing on Wed/Sat. As it now takes two incomes to afford to run a household, shops have adapted, and for most the greater flexibility is appreciated. We now have the internet, which although has some detractors, opens up a world of possibilities, one could only have dreamed of a few years back. I feel sorry for some of the elderly, who have chosen not to embrace this and have been left behind. But that is their choice, anyone I know of retirement age plus, has embraced it with open arms. Nostalgia is wonderful, we all say the good old days, but sadly the world keeps turning, as Billy Joel said.
I’m just curious as to why so many people are against it? I would love to find some good counter arguments from your perspective.
Resident of Lake.
Not sure why anyone would voluntarily go to get tested.
Because they are sheep Jonny and must follow.
If they would answer the phones it might help to get tests done too.
Good job they weren’t going to WW3. Sorry mate, I would have shot you an hour ago but I missed the ferry.
Love the humour Joe.
Reading a lot of the comments, I am wondering how many of the writer’s are actual Island born and bred. Condemn the Army for missing the ferry, so let’s forget the help they gave in moving beds, they have been told how many are expected to catch the virus and possibly die, they do it without hesitation. Shame the people who go out unnecessarily are not being properly punished, if they are desperate to go out give them a road brush to sweep the gutters.
Chinese ambassador speech 23/04/2020 – I now know what to do!
I will never eat in a Chinese restaurant again!
I will never have another Chinese take away again!
I will whenever possible avoid Chinese products always!
IF EVERYONE DOES IT THEN WE CAN MAKE CHINA PAY – ONLY A FOOL CAN’T SEE THAT THIS VIRUS WAS PRODUCED IN A CHINESE LABORATORY – TIME FOR A RECKONING!
Yes Larry,but not for the reckoning, china v the world,bigger then that ,agenda 2030 against mankind! See all governments around the world are signed up to the agenda and will be implementing the different parts in their country.untill we all have the same! That’s the agenda. Dont believe me? Why should you, look it up uk gov website 2030, it will shock you.