As one of the only English areas being in Tier 1 next week, the Isle of Wight’s director of public health is calling on Islanders to work together to keep everyone safe.
The Isle of Wight will go into the medium alert level, Tier 1, with looser restrictions than those in Tier 2 and 3. This means Islanders can eat indoors at a pub, restaurant and cafe as well as mixing with other households, so long as the ‘rule of six’ is stuck to.
Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock thanked the Isle of Wight for remaining vigilant as the Island has had some of the lowest infection rates.
Echoing what Mr Hancock said, the Island’s public health director, Simon Bryant said the case rate was now decreasing both in the general population and among the older people who are more vulnerable. He said:
“Currently Covid-19 pressure on the NHS is also low, so on balance it is right that the Tier One level applies.
“This has been possible due to the continued good work of the whole community and this has meant when restrictions are removed we will have more freedom than other areas. But it is really important that we do not let our guard down.”
Mr Bryant reinforced the hands, face, space messaging — to wash your hands, wear a mask wear possible and socially distance — as the ‘virus thrives on human contact’.
While the pressure on the NHS is low, and precautions are in place to deal with an increase of hospitalisations, Mr Bryant said in a small island community, it is critical to ensure this remains the case as we head into the winter period when levels of infections such as flu and pneumonia tend to increase. He said:
“It is therefore important to continue to consider the expected impact of any relaxation of restrictions over the Christmas period as we return to the tiered approach.
“We do not want to be looking back in January and wondering what more we could have done. So please let’s continue to work together to keep the Island safe.”
The Tier 1 restrictions will come into place at the end of the national lockdown and be reviewed in 2 weeks, on 16th December.
Let’s hope the Island stays low level risk, but I fear ONCE New years sales is ‘over’ the REAL truth and numbers will be ‘allowed’ to be known, as then all purses and wallets will be fully empty so no ‘need’ to allow freedom of spending, as most spent out by then.
So expect the worst second week in Jan imo
Chipy, I have the very same thoughts.
For similar happened in the high summer season, or, at least that’s what we were NOT told.
‘Apparently’ Low numbers during maximum cash taking season, only to be followed as soon as it ended by lock down and true figures coming to the fore, as you say ONCE the tills are filled.
Wealth before Health it seems. Shame so very close to a cure being given to ALL
I’m more concerned that given the efforts /sacrifices all locals have made ,that this will be destroyed by allowing unchecked cross Solent travel .
Exactly. We can see from the tier 1 level we have all done our best and follow rules on the whole but we have no control over visitors.
Apparently, people from higher tiers are already making enquiries about coming over for Christmas & New Year!! Something needs to be done to stop them. Where’s ‘half a sausage’ now?!
Gone to ground, sulking about the motorcycle race that is taking place on the island next year which is happening very close to where his island abode is!!!
Absolutely David. Thanking islanders, what a load of dribble from Matt the c ock Hancock. We probably will see infection rates increase due to the second home owners travelling here for Christmas due to our ‘low infection Tier 1 island’. Arriving visitors won’t care about us residents and our low numbers just as long as they have a jolly good Christmas
Spoke to a friend who lives in Ventnor , she said 1 of the pubs there are only going to admit people from tier 1 areas. Good idea, but not sure how they’ll be able to monitor it.
Simon Bryant said “We do not want to be looking back in January and wondering what more we could have done. So please let’s continue to work together to keep the Island safe.”
He is asking us to keep the island safe, thats his job and he gets 80+k, whats he doing to keep us safe, certainly not enforcing the rules. Perhaps he could do more now so he doesnt look back in January and say I wish I had prevented tier 3 visitors to the island, I wish I had sent my inspectors out into schools, colleges, hospitality and work places to do surprise spot checks to see they are obeying rules.
Some errors so far – The test centre and law breakers travelling on public transport to come to the island for tests, he had the data but nothing happened.
Lockdown what lockdown towns were busier than ever, Mask wearing in indoor areas 70 % of adults might, teenagers 5% might. where are the covid Marshalls, no direct communication with island residents ( a leaflet drop might just reasure islanders he is doing something and make it clear what we should be doing).
We should not be celebrating a return to a tiered lockdown system in the UK. What the last few months have shown us is that the Government is making it up as they go along, all whilst strangling any sense of freedom and liberty.
We no longer have rights we can invoke or the freedoms we once took for granted.The police turn on the citizens they are supposed to protect, and politicians are unaccountable. All this started 9 months ago with ‘just two weeks’ Remember that when Johnson says ‘just two more’
I’m more concerned that now we are in Tier 1, shite link have started running the cat.
Bringing Tier 2 and 3, over on Booze trips, what a great idea not, only thinking of cash as normal.
not the lives of our elderly or us, close shite link down now, keep us all safe.
stop whining.
plenty will buy a day return on the fastcat, then go back on the car ferry later on – anyhow, the government say no restriction on travel between tiers 1 and 2 – so your pointless, knee jerk, use the elderly excuse is not going to work.
I have just noticed this on the UK Govs website :
Businesses are legally required to take customers’ contact details, so they can be traced if there is an outbreak. They can be fined up to £10,000 if they do not do this, or if they do not enforce social distancing.
I wonder if his applies to the ferries ??
After the relaxation of the first lockdown I contacted Red Funnel about checking travelers for temperature before allowing them to travel and they said they had no power to do it. This is where the IWCC should employ Marshalls at the Mainland ferry terminals and stopping anyone with a high temperature from boarding and also stopping anyone coming from Tiers 3 area’s.
We do not have the ability to cope with a major outbreak after Christmas and stupid relaxation of rules for 5 days when common sense is to keep rules in place until vaccine comes. It is only one Christmas and better to keep safe then sentence elderly and vulnerable.
if thay talk poosh
thems aint island
peapal is them
so turn em back
A total shambles.
5 day relaxing of rules for Christmas.
Great if you are NOT required to work any of those 5 days.
When 2020 started I never thought I would see a day where people are coming to the island on a ‘booze cruse’. 😀
They will come and nothing we can do to stop them. All I can say is that islanders should stay away from the pubs in Ryde and Newport as they are going to be rammed with drunk mainland covidiots.