“We will continue to do all we can to support residents, businesses and communities and to continue delivering vital public services during lockdown” – That’s the message from the leader of the Isle of Wight Council as the country prepares to enter a second lockdown on Thursday (5th November).
Councillor Dave Stewart again urged everyone to play their part in doing all they can to reduce the spread of the virus, protect the NHS and protect one another. He has said:
“As a council we recognise the impact a new lockdown will have on our businesses and community.
Article continues below this advertisement “We will be doing everything we possibly can to passport government support to businesses as quickly as possible.
“We have already increased the resources in our helpline service (823600) for residents and anyone who has any concerns should make contact with us as soon as possible.
“I know this is yet another enormous ask of our community, but I know it is up for the challenge and we will do everything we can in support. Let’s do what we should, not what we could.
“Throughout this pandemic, Islanders, businesses and communities have come together and shown a collective public spirit and determination to curb the spread of the virus and protect not only themselves, but their neighbours and loved ones.
“We need this to continue and we can’t afford to be complacent as we head into the winter. As a council, we will continue to work closely with our partners, agencies and businesses to #keeptheislandsafe.”
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Councillor Stewart adds:
“When we get more details from government about what financial support will be available for businesses, we’ll be letting people know how they can access this as soon as possible.”
Simon Bryant, the Island’s director of public health, said the announcement by the Prime Minister on Saturday night was a further reminder that Covid-19 was still present and was a very real public health threat. He has said:
“Despite everyone’s best efforts, we cannot escape the fact that cases on the Island are increasing just as they are on the mainland.
“At the start of September, our seven day rate of new infections was 3.1 cases per 100,000 population but we have seen a significant rise and that figure is now 38.8 cases per 100,000.
“This new lockdown should give us the opportunity to reduce the transmission of the virus on the Island and help to keep our community safe during the difficult winter months ahead.
“It gives the Island, with its still relatively low rate of cases, a significant opportunity to reduce our rates and protect our population.
“But to do so we must follow the rules set out, especially not mixing households in a private setting and always remembering the behaviours of hands face space.”
The first thing the council needs to do is clean up our roads and streets from discarded face masks.The island roads and streets are full of rubbish since recycling started on the island now you have virus masks everywhere you look.The island is turning into one big bin,green island what a joke!!!! Mr.Peter Enis
week 32 lockdown i am still waiting for the call and help i was promised on week 1 from the council we will call you call you back i am still waiting
Maybe try again…. How have you survived this long?
We have seen increases over the last week so if these keep rising then let’s hope one of the restrictions that could be brought in will be the same as in parts of Wales where lockdown restrictions prevent travel in or out of the areas without ‘a reasonable excuse’.
If this restriction was brought in then it should be policed at ferry terminals and Red Funnel made to enforce Social Distancing and Mask wearing.
It would also make sense that apart from essential Services all other people travelling to the Island should be made to self isolate for 14 days.
Also, how about freezing council tax for 1 month. Not just freeze then catch up later, but just write off novembers council tax, it would be a good gesture, but of course this will not happen.
Great idea then you can moan about services being cut .
The government are so stupid they think we are all idiots. Unfortunately most of us are. My advice just continue as normal and ignore this hysteria joke.
Like chucking people on the street with severe mental health I don’t think so the council are shit and need to be changed vote properly people I will be on the street thanks to the council over the lockdown period no care in what’s going on in the world only in there pockets
Perhaps the Islands Public Health Service Director could do something useful and compel the Island Doctors to stop hiding and play their part – I have been desperate to see my Doctor since May. No Chance. literally not interested. Cant get through online (they don’t “do” online) never answer calls, never call back EVER. And my health continues to deteriorate, and no doubt I will end up in A&E needing emergency treatment, and too late at that.