Despite the easing of lockdown restrictions the clear advice from the Isle of Wight Council is still that holidaymakers and second home owners should stay away.
Although the Prime Minister’s recent announcement said people could drive as far as they wanted for daily exercise outdoors, Mr Johnson later clarified:
“We don’t want to see people – let me repeat – we don’t want to see people travelling to another home for a holiday or a second home.”
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The leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Dave Stewart, has reinforced this advice and is urging Islanders to maintain the 2-metre social distancing rule when outside over the Bank Holiday Weekend.
Councillor Stewart says:
“The move to a new phase in the national response to coronavirus is best summed up in the new message from the prime minister to “Stay Alert: Control the Virus and Save Lives”.
“It remains the council’s priority to protect our Island community in the best way that we can.
“To that end we want people living on the Island to be safe and alert when visiting popular locations like beaches and esplanades – observe social distancing and try to not to visit at busy times.
Article continues below this advertisement “And the message for those on the mainland who may be thinking of visiting us is: ‘Please stay away at this time – it is not yet safe for us or for you to come to the Island. We will tell you when it is safe to do so’.”
Just stop the selfish bastards getting on the ferries we don’t want them here . They are piles ! Come in clusters , soon turn red , and there a pain in the arse
beaches were packed again- glad to see things returning to normal.
Mr Not Disclosed – Things are NOT returning to normal, do you NOT read the Government guidelines, or maybe you just cannot understand them. There are possible dates set but these can be changed if things don’t improve.
Mark – yes they are – have you not read the news around the country – with widespread ignoring of the lockdown for weeks.
we are returning to normal whether the government or you like it or not.
not disclosed – you really are a complete fool, why don’t you just grow up….. freedom of speech.
stop stamping your feet, throwing insults and crying mark – freedom of speech.
No feet stamping here, just making a valid point.
Troll
I walked down to roughly where the above picture was taken at 4pm yesterday – only about a dozen families down there – hardly packed. All safe distance apart!
ryde reader – try midday next time -for a better idea – as most clear off home around 4pm for tea.
Youre happy to reap the benefits of visitors when they can return, the island wouldn’t survive without tourism. Dont tar all visitors with the same nasty attitude, it’s only a few selfish ones who wont listen, second home owners love the island as much as the residents do and respect the rules of lockdown.
I just hope none of us ever meet up with such an abhorrent person like you once we are allowed back.
Are you a second home owner and over here?
jax – as far as I am concerned, you are welcome anytime – you have purchased a property here and in my view have the right to use it at your discretion.
These imbeciles who want everyone to live in a little bubble can hide away indoors if they so wish – the rest of us need cash and jobs and fun.
It may be your view that second home owners have the right to use it at their discretion but thankfully your view carries no weight what so ever. At the point that your view becomes important I’m sure you’ll get a phone call from the government to inform you………….I wouldn’t bother waiting by the phone though!
my view is as important as the next persons ericmc – and a person has the right to attend to their property as they see fit
Second home owners have priced most people here out of the housing market . Fact. And taken money from the tourist industry ie hotels and holiday let’s.
smithy – jealous
We all need cash, not disclosed, but I’m guessing you don’t work. I still have cash and work, and will be returning to work on the 1st of June. Now I guess you will moan about all the people who have been furloughed, I guess you are in the category that you cannot be furloughed or just simply unemployed or very, very rich and spoilt.
I do not claim benefits Mark – that is all I am prepared to disclose on a public board.
Well that’s nice. I am happy for you.
Yes I agree keep the 2nd homeowners away, but what about all the bikers that are over here already. Why were they allowed on the ferries, that’s not an essential journey.
Just for gods sake stop all NON ESSENTIAL transport from getting on the ferries, is it really that difficult.
shut up mark – this crap is over – things are going back to normal and people are ignoring the lockdown en masse now.
It’s far from over as you will soon find out. No wonder you won’t disclose your name
Not Disclosed – To you I say NO I won’t shut up, freedom of speech is still allowed I believe, you said it yourself, people are IGNORING the lockdown, so even you realise it must be done, until it’s safe enough to relax it properly, but maybe you’re welcoming a second spike. I’m guessing you are one of the people ignoring the lockdown which is still in force at this moment in time.
Too right Mark, this Pratt needs putting in his place! Head in sand!
no jimjam – just not allowing myself to be a gullible sheep, blindly doing what someone else says – baaaaahhh
ha – mark – you keep doing what the government tell you to do, just like a good little drone – we will do as we please.
not disclosed – I don’t do what the Government tell me always, but it’s probably best in this case. Just because you are a selfish ignorant little person who can’t handle authority it seems.
no need to “handle authority” – just ignore what you do not agree with – other humans do not have the inalienable right to dictate to other humans.
Out if interest Mr Disclosed, as you are of the opinion ‘this crap is over’, hypothetically, if there were an option in the next phase of easing lockdown that said, “anyone is free to go anywhere, mix with anyone and do exactly as they wish, but if doing so must sign a disclaimer excluding themselves from NHS care should they catch Covid 19”, would you sign it?
phil
asking that question to someone is a bit pointless, when the answer will be…
should fat people not be entitled to NHS care if they keep over eating and have obesity related diseases
should people who drink not be entitled to nhs care because of alcohol
should people who smoke not be entitled to nhs care because of tobacco
should people who injure theirselves doing extreme sports not be entitled to nhs care due to risk taking
should those who get pregnant because they didn’t take contraception measures not be entitled to nhs care due to carelessness.
should those who get flu not be entitled to nhs care because they caught it at some point.
should those who visit foreign countries and get an infectious disease not be entitled to nhs care because they went there, knowing of the risk in that country.
etc etc
I think anon is mr not disclosed in disguise.
Totally agree essential traffic. Only
It’s Boris’s fault. He said you can travel anywhere in England for a day out or to exercise under the amended regulations. He said walk, cycle ore use your car, unless you have to use public transport. Now unless you have an amphibious car, or can walk on water, you have to use the ferries which is permitted. I don’t like it either, but Boris gave people the green light. Non essential travel seems to have come to end, after the Sunday announcement. He left it up to the individual to use their common sense, but everyone’s definition is different.
People staying in Holiday lets, campervans camping in carparks all over the island, 36 boats in totland bay yesterday, majority mainland visitors, pubs open, foreign registered cars with top boxes here there and everywhere. ques at icecream vans, etc etc. and we have a bankholiday weekend coming. Should not be advise, should be a new emergency Island bylaw, no non essential visits to the island. 181 confirmed cases, 48 combined Hospital/care home deaths thats a 26% death rate- UK rate is 14% and world rate is 6%. Island isolation could bring us down to single figures, continued invasion will see it rise and overpower st Mary’s. Just Do It – Stay on the Mainland…. “SAVE our LIVES”
100% agree. It’s disgusting how many people are here already. What the hell are these ferries doing? I know they keep saying they have no authority to stop people but I know they are not even questioning travellers. Bob seeley and Dave Stewart will have blood on their hands. Give the ferries authority for gods sake or we will be overrun with visitors . What is the point of a trial of the app here if half the population are not islanders. Makes a complete mockery of it all. And why can we not see our loved ones if the whole world and his wife can come to the island? I’m so angry about this and we on the island who are following all the guidelines need answers.
smithy – the islanders have the right to freedom of movement as do other uk citizens. Unless there is a general consenus amongst the population across the country to all stay in your own home towns, then no one has the right to stop someone travelling to Ryde from Portsmouth, no more than they can stop someone going from Portsmouth to Southampton.
if you are blindly staying in, that is up to you.
No I’m not blindly staying in I’ve been going to work all through lockdown actually and you said it yourself islanders have the right to freedom of movement !
no steve ..stop acting some like some deranged end of world is nigh idiot.
more and more are ignoring this lockdown over the last two weeks – no sudden rise in cases either.
Not yet you complete idiot it’s still here and it’s not over yet. China has a wave of mutated cases we will too
Mr Not Disclosed – For some families, their world has ended, they have lost family members, close friends, so please stop acting like a complete idiot. As for no rise in cases, there have been new cases on the Island, and I predict in 2 weeks, there will be a huge jump in cases.
You’re right, people have been affected it’s sad and unprecented times for our whole world. Why can’t idiots see this. Sheltered tiny brained idiot.
There has been a rise here in the last 2 weeks
Not Disclosed – incubation is 5+ days and yes this weekend 9 new cases so dont speak too soon,uk increase is 3.2% island increase is 4.7% over last 3 days
So just to put this in perspective is Councillor Stewart suspending Council Tax bills to the payers that he is now telling now to not go to the Isle of Wight??
Or does he still want all the money form them whilst suspending free movement for those owners??
Bearing in mind the Islands own MP does not live on the IoW so is Councillor Stewart saying our MP can’t visit too?
Just stay away if you don’t live here. What is there not to understand?
why don’t you move smithy – do not want your xenophobic type here anyhow.
Bet you’re not an islander anyway and as you’ve pointed out I have the right to freedom of movement so can live where I like
not disclosed – xenophobic, not really, just sensible.
For all the good Bob Seely does for the normal Isle of Wight residents, it might be best who doesn’t come back.
2 metres is not a rule – public health england have said it cannot be enforced – it is an advisory – perhaps the little jobsworth Councillor should remember that
not disclosed – Are you one of those people who just love to go against any rules and regulations, I bet your one of those who are using the lockdown as a weapon by charging at people in supermarkets so THEY have to move out of the way of YOU. I have to say you sound very bitter. Time to grow up Mr Not Disclosed.
I am quite happy mark – why, are you upset.
Wonder why you’re getting all the thumbs down? Not very popular views.
mark – i break every law or rule i see fit to break – I only abide by things I agree with – if I do not agree with what a bunch of other humans have decided in a big house in london – I simply ignore it. As is my right to do so. As for consequences – well ..they only matter, if they are of any relevance to me and they are not.
not disclosed – then that make you selfish beyond belief and a potential psychopath. Look it up!!!
happy with who I am mark – can you say the same
yep
Me thinks we are wasting our breath with a pathetic excuse for a human being that not disclosed is. As you say mark selfish beyond belief obviously has no friends or family that he cares about. Or disowned him!
SHUT UP! Talking xxxx!
How about finding a balance, you know common sense, if nobody visits the Island many attractions are going to fold and many people will not have jobs. I’m happy not to attend until it is completely safe to do so – meanwhile I’m spending my money elsewhere.
I am also going to wait until allowed back to my holiday home – beginning of July, quite a while to go. But I am getting more upset every day on reading the animosities against potential tourists. I perfectly agree that we “foreigners” should definitely wait until GOV gives the ok, but remember that the holiday money will not swim across the Solent on its own!
It’s just tribal behaviour, and reaction to a (unseen) threat. Going on everywhere. Things change very quickly though.
Dear Island Echo, do you think you are making things better by chucking me out every time I dare to point out that threatning tourists might not be the best way to get Island tourism started again once Government gives the all clear?
People are crazy, a bit of sunshine and they’ve all forgotten what’s been happening these past three months! Stay away from our island! We don’t want people coming here, the ferries are responsible for letting them come some they are just as much to blame as the tourists themselves as well. Pubs and cafes should be made to close again as far as im concerned as it is still not safe to do so. People say oh there’s only fifty or so deaths here what’s wrong with that..!? That’s fift plus people dying before their time for gods sake! And their families suffering because they’d can’t say their goodbyes. It’s shocking however many the number is. What’s wrong with those like non disclosed. Flipping imbecile! He obviously hasn’t been affected in any way, yet. Maybe the tourists will inadvertently infect him! Ha! No such luck!
you speak for yourself jimjam I want tourists here, packed beaches, crowded shops – gets us back to what we should be doing. You can hide indoors if you like
Not disclosed just go away and shut up
smithy – you said that not disclosed couldn’t tell you to shut up as you have the right to free speech, now you are telling not disclosed to shut up – i think you need to check yourself – either people have the right to free speech or they don’t in your mind – or is it just your view that is allowed and not the other poster.
Should be stopped not asked.
What’s up with the lilly livered authority down here
Shameful
Gonna head to the beach myself tomorrow. They didn’t
seem that busy today (Ventnor) when I went past. I’ve seen pics of mainland beaches packed out…
well done gooner – sense from someone – enjoy
Interesting that all on here who are not worried about the influx of second home owners etc hide behind made up names in preference to using their own names
because chris – why would you disclose personal details on an anonymous website board – might as well put your credit card details as well – do you not bother with protecting your identity from thieves
Don’t worry people, we are safer on the mainland. From what we’ve heard the island has worse cases than we have where we live. London is in single digits now for new cases and no new deaths for 48 hours. Perhaps you should be asking why the islanders are not following the restrictions and doing as they are told as we are here!
Visitors are more likely to catch Covid 19 from people who live on the island.
Sunshine and beaches. Not quite the same in London is it? It’s only got over here from people bringing it over here in the first place that in itself is obvious. We should have locked down sooner and enforced essential travel on the ferries. We have one hospital on the island that has to cope.
That is not factual
How do you know that?
It could have been brought over by people who live on the island who travelled to the mainland
It only reached London from people travelling from other places
I know it got here from mainland and yes of course it could be islanders travelling back I’m not that stupid but if ferries had been told to only allow essential travel it could’ve contained it better that’s all I’m saying and just so you know I was born and bred in London so I’m not anti just saying we should all stay close to home until the risk is less.
you don’t half talk crap smithy –
ferries are a public transport service – not the gestapo.
Public transport service with sensible guidelines which is why loads of crossings cancelled and essential travel only. Fair play to you not disclosed you don’t give up!
I absolutely love the Island.I have family there and I miss it so much.
However ,it would be utterly irresponsible for me to visit ,placing lives at risk.Any logical ,responsible adult is aware that we must stay away from the Island currently ,until it is safe to do otherwise.
Put the needs of this wonderful Island before those of your own.
Thank you
Well, Shanklin Town Council are obviously doing their best to deter visitors.
Public toilets are all locked up.
So, even if you do want to go for a walk, or visit the beach, no ‘comfort’ facilities available.
And before someone starts about hygiene – when was the last time ANYONE could say public conveniences were 100% clean?
Whilst the virus is a ‘concern’ (apologies for seemingly understating it), but, we have over recent years become completely obsessed with having everything spotless and cleaned within an inch of its existence.
Could this have something to do with so many people having allergies to so many things?
We bought a small property early last year and use it as often as we can. Have spent most of my life between mainland and the island and feel that it is very much home for me and my family when we can get over. That said I totally respect the lockdown and, whilst I would be there right now if I could, I am mindful of the need to keep safe and remain in our home on the mainland.
It is a shame that 2nd home owners are seemingly tarred with all being irresponsible and thoughtless and, for some of you, not welcomed.
My intentions are to move permanently to iow but people who live there should appreciate how much the island means to many non residents and how much the island needs visitors to survive.
leave it empty long enough – you will have squatters.
Thank you, Chris, I also have a small place to stay on the Island but respect the current situation and will not go back until I may by law. For me, one problem at the moment is the demonisation of future tourists. This frightens me. Not all visitors are thoughtless, but these visitors, like myself, may be put off going back to the Island all together!
I think a large majority of islanders were originally from the mainland. I wonder if any of these negative views on visitors are from those people who may have once been a visitor themselves. I agree it’s a wonderful place and needs protecting but when things do get back to normal I sincerely hope we can be welcomed back. We all need to stay safe wherever we are. We also need to support each other as much as possible.
We will obviously welcome you back when the time is right. You are a sensible person not taking advantage like many are if only they were all like you. The choice is yours .
Of course we realise all this and appreciate those that respect the lockdown . When it is safe anyone is welcome it’s just idiots like not disclosed who ruin things for us all by making us islanders sound like we hate all tourists it’s just not true we just have to look at the bigger picture which is keeping us all safe.
no smithy – you are the one demanding that people stay away – I have read not discloseds comments – he/she wants people to turn up and enjoy themselves now.
I would love to visit the Island as I have family there that I haven’t seen since January. But I am staying away for obvious reasons!!!