Life is set to return to normal on the Isle of Wight as Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirms almost all COVID restrictions will be removed on 19th July – 2 weeks today – subject to a final decision next Monday.
Social distancing, face masks and limits on the number of people allowed to meet indoors and outdoors will be scrapped on Monday 19th July, allowing the Island to return to normal and welcome the expected influx of visitors this Summer.
The news will bring great jubilation to Islanders who, like the rest of the country, have been living under tough restrictions for the past 16 months – despite incredibly low cases on the garden isle. That is all about to change though as the Government moves away from legal restrictions to emphasising personal choice.
Boris Johnson confirmed the intention of ‘Freedom Day’ during a press conference at 17:00 this afternoon. However, the Prime Minister stressed that the pandemic ‘isn’t over’ and that we must learn to live with the virus.
Key Changes from 19th July:
- Social distancing scrapped – you won’t have to stay 1m+ away from others any longer, allowing businesses to fully re-open
- No more masks – you will no longer have to wear a mask indoors/outdoors including on public transport
- Check-in and QR codes gone – you won’t have to ‘check-in’ at hospitality and entertainment venues anymore
- 2 pints of lager please – you will be able to order food and drink at the bar as table service is scrapped
- Large events – the Isle of Wight Festival and other large events will be allowed to return after more than 16 months
- Work from the office – you will no longer have to work from home
- Vaccinations – the gap between doses will reduce from 12 to 8 weeks with all over 18s offered 2 jabs by mid-September
- No Passport – a COVID certificate will not be required for entry to a business or event
- Party night – nightclubs will finally be allowed to re-open
- Care homes – caps on the number of visitors scrapped but PPE remains
The bad news is that you must continue to self-isolate if you come into contact with a person who has COVID-19, even if you have been double vaccinated. This rule is expected to be reviewed in the near future but for now – and after 19th July as it stands – the self-isolation requirement remains. The same can be said for ‘bubbles’ within the school environment, which aren’t being scrapped just yet, although the Education Secretary will outline plans to remove bubbles within schools tomorrow (Tuesday).
Rules for international travel are expected to be updated shortly, following a different timetable to the COVID roadmap. It is anticipated that you will no longer have to quarantine if you have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccination. The Transport Secretary will provide an update later this week.
Vaccinations continue to be delivered with the potential for a third dose in the Autumnal months. Those over the age of 18 are encouraged to get their first jab as soon as possible, with hopes that all Over 18s will be double vaccinated by mid-September.
Freedom Day is subject to a final decision on Monday 12th July.
Why do we need a pop festival? A breeding ground for covid. Masks should remain compusory at least to the end of the year. If the app and signing in are no longer needed how are we supposed to know if we have been in contact with a victim we meet in public?
Why not have a festival there are thousands of people coming hear anyway and at least there be in one place not spreading it all over and it’s for are islanders to enjoy
Because now greater a greed machine than Giddings, and if it doesnt go ahead he will gain a fair amount of interest on ticket sales money for the Company running ot! rolled over yet again “win win” after all he needs the moneyafter a dodgy investment or two! And to pay for his super sized bifters
Freedom?!!? Dorris is trying to kill us all
Wow someone on the island awake not just me
Since day 1 the economy has always been above peoples lives.
The economy can recover in time but the poor souls who have passed will never recover.
They are not separate..growth in the economy .. is growth in tax which in turn funds health care..policing..road safety..care for vunrable..care for abused..etc etc..like it or not covid isnt the only killer and unless nhs police carers are going to work for nothing we need a strong economy to pay for it..
A mandate for the selfish to be even more selfish. Why on earth is it considered acceptable to get on public transport and not wear a mask? I reckon this is precisely the reason why there was no flu around last winter so it makes sense to protect yourself and others, but some people of course, care nothing about that. I’m just listening to it now on the radio and they say that most of the people dying now and people that have had the vaccine and for some reason that fact seems to be kept quiet as it is the first that I’ve heard of it.
The jibjab is the v irus
But you forgot to submit the fact that 99% of them are very very old,and would have died anyway…fact !
Common sense prevails at last!!!!…. Although they’ll probably invent some ‘Oompa Loompa variant’ in the next few days.
Wish there was a way to edit your comment as I made a typing error but the option to edit and put it right has been removed. Why is this? Anyway what it should have read is “most of the people dying now *are* people that have had the vaccine”, not “and”. :sigh: Why take away the option to edit so we can put right any typing errors?
Absolute rubbish, the people dying are in the main those who have not been vaccinated.
And that is what I thought too, but that is not what they said on the radio yesterday. And not everyone can have the vaccine, why should they be disregarded so readily? They are still members of British society and every right to be treated with consideration. Why is it so difficult for some people to be polite and considerate? I know they pride themselves on being absolute scumbags and definitely seem to be the majority in some areas but how long can society function when there is such ignorance in people’s behaviour? Hard to believe this country was once known for good manners, not any more it seems.
Yay! Let’s all stand on our doorsteps in two weeks and have a ceremonial burning of the face nappies. Does this mean that we will be able to get our own veg from the buffet in the Sloop in Whippingham?
Or Wootton even!
Whilst I can understand the seemingly excited tone of this article..Be wary of what you wish for,. This unpredictable virus has not gone away and if you think it won’t affect you and you are immune from any ill effects or it’s sometimes lasting legacy of serious health problems if you do catch it moderately, mildly or seriously, you could be inviting danger.
The only chance the vulnerable have now is to stay at home what a life for them.
That is where they should be anyway, why are most elderly people so scared of dieing any way….?… it is only nature after all….x
Certainly showing your true colours hammer! Oh and it’s “dying” btw, not “dieing”.
MC HAMMER your comment is disrespectful. What a horrible excuse for a human being you are. You will be elderly one day.
I already am my sweet heart…..(sorry if I offended you) x
All these people commented why are you here have you to much time on your hands bloody people welcome to the human race absolutely discussing comments
This is not cause for celebration. This is far from over. I will still be wearing my mask and hope that others will too.
Nope, burn the muzzles!
Well said
I will still be wearing mine, and sanitising. It is madness with the figures going up for people to think that we can go right back to normal.
Clown.
I see all the terrified sheep have let all the propaganda get to them. You’re all utter fools.
Your IQ must be extremely low.
Don’t worry it’s planned to return in September
It isn’t over…cases rising daily
So are the government saying “We failed to control it because we never kept to the rules we brought it, so now we are handing it over to you all to sort it, and that way, if it goes totally wrong and we have another disaster, you will not be able to blame us this time as it will be all your own doing.”
As much as I would like to give my face masks to the pet shop to use as hammocks for their gerbils, this is just stupid. Is it really such a chore to wear a mask on public transport or in shops? This will just accelerate the growth of new cases, and increase the chances of a new variant emerging. This in turn risks more severe controls come September.
Can i just say to all the people that are complaining about not being under restrictions, it says that the government are encouraging people to make there own personal choice, if you would feel more comfortable wearing a face mask then wear one, if you would like to continue social distancing then do so, its up to you but we need to learn to live with this virus, it is not going to go away, and also everyone needs to respect other peoples choices everyone is entitled to do what makes them feel safer.
Totally agree
Face masks MUST remain whilst in a supermarket and on public transport. Bloody Tories have got it wrong again if they allow all restrictions to ease. Left to the public’s common sense. Many don’t have or know what common sense is!
I read in one of the papers ( so it gotta be true), that the number of flu cases has significantly dropped. Saying it down mainly to less mingling and wearing face marks. It’s that not enough reason to carry on wearing then then.
Bring it on, personal choice, well I won’t be letting anyone who I know never wore a mask previously near me, “exempt my foot” and the people who refuse to have had a vaccine, keep away too. Still they will be the ones who will get any more “variants” and help to mutate it further. Roll up, Roll up, tickets available for the post August lockdown, coming to a town near you. Welcome back my friends to the virus that never ends…….
If this decision was based on science and common sense it would be great but it is not, it is being done to try to boost the governments popularity, this is not over as the indian variant is spreading across the country and out of control. Having had to wear a mask for most of my working life i have no problem with them and enjoy the side benefits such as not having had a cold or bout of flu for over 16 months.
So being told we don’t need to wear a mask means you can’t wear one? If you go out for something to eat and restaurant is rammed to the hilt, do you have to go in? Do you have to walk through a crowd of people, or can you walk around?
It’s up to you isn’t it!
Take responsibility for yourself and your own.
Yeah lets crack on with life,it is what it is. I will still wear a mask in supermarkets and on public transport. I never downloaded the app as it was never a legal requirement and i never give my correct number at venues otherwise i would be skint now not beingable to work.
YES, FINALLY!
Can’t wait to get lost in a crowd and start enjoying life!
You’re all scared of your own shadow.
I’m tough enough to wear a mask so will continue to do so. Let the snowflakes who can’t take the pain stay indoors.
Bad & dangerous decisions.