Residents from Tier 3 and 4 areas across the country made a last minute dash to the safe haven of the Isle of Wight last night (Saturday), with crowds of second home owners and visitors flooding the late night ferries.
Island Echo readers have been in touch to say they’ve ‘never seen the midnight ferry so busy’ as families, couples and individuals rushed across the Solent in a bid to reach Tier 1. The Wightlink ferry from Portsmouth was so busy that the upper deck was being used.
As previously reported, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced yesterday afternoon that millions of people would be plunged into lockdown just days before Christmas – including those living across the water in Portsmouth. Islanders have also been affected by the reduction in the Christmas bubble period, which is now only applicable to Christmas Day.
Cross-Solent ferry operators have already said they cannot and will not ask questions of those travelling as they have no powers to stop people. They are, however, still accepting bookings whilst strongly encouraging people to follow the rules in place.
Those living in Tier 4 areas should only be travelling to the Isle of Wight for work or caring purposes. They can also travel here to attend medical appointments or for education, both of which seem unlikely.
Islanders should not travel to Portsmouth unless it is for work, for education, or to attend medical appointments. Last minute shoppers can travel to Southampton.
Bob Seely MP has called for more regular Police patrols at mainland ferry ports and Council Leader Dave Stewart says:
“Don’t break the rules. It affects us all. Stay alright on the Isle of Wight and work together for the good of all”.
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The restrictions will remain in place until at least 30th December when the Government will review the tiers. However, there is growing concern that the whole country will be thrown into a third national lockdown in January.
Bringing more covid over here
And of the mutation, which could be far more deadly, as they think it is far far more contagious. Hence the sudden new restrictions. IF this takes the young, then next year will make this one seem quiet compared with what will occur. Lets hope the vaccine is effective on any mutations and the mutations don’t mutate faster than the vaccine boffins can cope with.
Your spelling is illegal… Christ
There is nothing to suggest it is more deadly, it just spreads faster from what they know at the moment.
So the government still don’t know much about the virus that’s been around a year but are already experts on this one. Laughable really.
There is no data to suggest this new strain (one of about 40 known variants) is any more deadly, or has any any worse long term effects. It’s just easier to catch.
Also there is no reason to assume NOR any data to suggest that the vaccines will be any less effective. (And if it side steps one then as each vaccine targets different points then the others will still get it)
So no reason to panic. But every reason to double down on mask wearing, washing your hands and keeping your distance physically.
So don’t panic
Keep calm
Wear your mask at all times outside of home
Wash your hands and shoot the grockles!
Well put.
Love it. rational thought, and humour? lives.
Well said Stephen. Wash your hands, Wear a mask, Watch your distance. Simple stuff.
There’s no evidence that a more contagious mutation would be any more deadly. The opposite is more likely, the virus is likely to evolve towards making people less sick. If you’re coughing your lungs up at home alone because you’re sick, you’re not infecting others, whereas if you’re feeling fine and decide to go to Ryde on a jolly, you’re going to be infecting loads of people. So the latter version spreads faster.
That’s why Matt Hancock told people to assume they have the virus in Tier 4 areas – it’s in case this strain makes asymptomatic and mild cases more likely – because who knows who they’d spread it to?
Well it’s people with your attitude is the reason we are heading into another lock down and the reason I might not be allowed to visit my Dad in January.
You think it’s all a lie so you ignore all the safety advice put out for yours and everyone else’s safety refuse to wear a mask, don’t worry about keeping your distance from anyone or anything else but Moan about it, well maybe if you, one of your friends or loved ones got sick you might change your mind. I am not wishing any death, but maybe a sick enough for you and those who think the same for you to have a rethink, though you will probably contract it but still go out with out a mask or distancing & pass it on to god knows how many others & not care one bit that you might be responsible for someone’s death.
WHICH IS EASIER: ADMIT YOU ARE WRONG or CANCEL CHRISTMAS? Imagine if we all celebrated Christmas as normal and deaths “with” covid just kept on declining, as they have done for weeks… …it would look terrible for the PM – as if his life destroying lockdowns were for nothing.
Once again the covert political mesage “Don’t trust the Goverment – you’re being lied to”, etc ad-nauseum. When are you going to come clean and tell us what political group you represent.
the truth…
Why should anyone trust a government which has an extremely distant relationship with honesty ?
Well said. Interestingly enough, since March this year, most people have stopped dying of anything else.
Any proof of that ?
It’s so wrong that theybatevallieed to flood a tier 1 area like this, our figures will now rise. People just don’t give a damn
Have got evidence of this, or are you just speculating ?
YET when this was mentioned yesterday by a poster, some foolish poster ‘Plato’, likely a pub or similar business owner here, dismissed the suggestion as ‘scaremongering’
Bembridge and Seaview is full of such already, and the pubs and restaurants will now become the transmission area infecting the locals, so ‘once’ these selfish beings have left, WE will then spread this amongst ourselves.
As this new variant is thought to be highly contagious compared to the original virus, then many will pay a huge price ‘just’ to have ‘gone out for a plate of food, or a drink’ which they could have prepared and enjoyed in their own homes in relative safety.
I shall avoid all such places for at least two weeks after this crowd has left, as staff and local customers will not show the symptoms until AFTER most have gone. THINK, if it isn’t essential then DON’T eat or drink away from home.
I cannot understand how warners and dashies hotel can accept people from these high tiers can they not be fined like shops
I will pop along to these hotels and find out the anwsers hahaaha
I agree why aren’t these holiday camps closed and warners and dashies etc should know better its abosultly discussting its not essential holiday makers should be here. The fact most major attractions are closed till next year. but according to one of the chalet maids who’s a friend of my wife who works at Norton Grange they had around 170+ plus people last week and again this week most from old tier 2&3 and conveniently most say there exempt from face coverings and she feels unsafe working there. don’t know about Bembridge and shanklin and whiteciff Bay. Though You can garentee most guests will flood the buses (using free bus passes) and also coffee shops town centres as there is nothing else for them to do. The government should be protecting tier 1 places and only enforce essential travel with security at terminals checking people traveling into tier 1 they should have paperwork similar to what Italy etc do. Wight link, red funnel, Southern vectis won’t enforce anything if they do it would lead to social media onslaught and could destroy thier company branding and maybe the company as well. The whole situation is a farce and none of the people that have flooded over here won’t adhere to thier local restrictions.
“Governments and laws operate in a human environment. A policy that only works by suppressing our humanity is unlikely to work at all. Life is risky. A policy that seeks to eliminate risk ends up trying to eliminate life.” Lord Sumption
Check your facts first, Daishes is closed!
Daish’s hotel is closed
Warners have added to their website that people from tiers 3&4 cannot travel to their hotels and need to cancel their bookings. Hopefully they will enforce this.
Daishes are closed.
Why are there 3 coaches then!!’
Because they are parked up, no guests have been bought in.
They are closed until at least march.
Daishes is closed fact
You could study law and find out, but to save a bit of time (a few years) and help you out, I can tell you it’s because if the business is open lawfully, and there is no requirement on that busines to screen potential customers or refuse them entry, then that business is not breaking the law and thus cannot be prosecuted.
Did the Echo ask everyone on the ferry if they were second home owners and visitors from other tiers ‘flocking to the Island’? I don’t think so.
Wight link strikes again why would they give a sh.t all thay want is the money they are to dear and rip off us islanders with ferry fares than thay bring covid 19 over to the island Nice one
Totally agree with you. Same as the railways. Profit before people But they don’t have any power to stop them that’s down to our wonderful police….too much like hard work for them though. The MP should have been leaning on the police to monitor the ferries as soon as the announcement was made. Another useless article. Too little Too late as usual
You are totally pathetic. The ferry company cannot stop people travelling. No different to catching a bus. If you cannot understand that there is no hope for anyone.
Youe a moron, you have to give your Address to book a ticket, they could have rejected anyone travelling on the 12pm ferry that lives in a tier 4 zone. Its not rocket science.
They could not have rejected anyone travelling on the 12pm ferry that lives in a tier 4 zone because there are many legal exceptions to the travel restrictions. A neighbour of mine will tomorrow be driving from here (Portsmouth – tier 4) to Wales, stay overnight and then travel back here the day after with another person. All of which she is legally entitled to do under the current law.
No you don’t. Just buy a through ticket at the railway station. Won’t even ask your name. Just if you want to user Hover or Wightlink
What the hell are you talking about .. of course they can stop people using their ferries .. if they dont want you on then your not getting on
Grow up… should we blame the trains and buses for moving them around the island!!
Wightlink are a business no different to any other business!!
Seriously live your life and let others live theirs… wonder what you’d all be saying if we had this bloody fixed link that keeps being mentioned!!!
Just wait till they leave the island so many empty places in manned
As it is now illegal to travel to or from a tier 4 area l think that Wightlink might be guilty of aiding and abetting in a crime by assisting people to travel here.
At the departure time there was no Tier 4 so not sure what crime is alleged.
So as the dfls have arrived I think the only way to control things is show I.d to allow you into pubs restaurants etc so it will make those dfls follow tier4 restrictions which they should be doing anyway
Boris said you are not allowed to travel in to or out of a tier 4 this includes traveling through a tier 4 .wightlink to day are still going in and out of Portsmouth there’s the crime boycott wightlink
Wightlink are guilty of breaking the law by excepting tier 3 and 4 onto their ferry’s, why haven’t Wightlink management been arrested???..
Can you people actually hear what you are saying. Your rabid with hatred for your fellow man. Most disturbing .
This is not hatred against our fellow men this is angst at what these people are doing. Through their selfish and inconsiderate behaviour the virus will undoubtedly spread and some will die a horrible death. These people need to be given the understanding and sympathy you would afford a drunk driver.
You sound as if you’re being very judgmental about people whose situations you know little about. Calling people selfish and inconsiderate does you no favours, and is not at all constructive, because it doesn’t address the real problem, or offer a positive solution. As to your comment about drunk drivers, I’m sure most reasonable people would accept that driving a motor vehicle whilst over the limit is in no way comparable with using a ferry to travel to the Isle of Wight, irrepective of your assumptions about their reasons for doing so.
I fully agree with your comment this island mentality is something to behold
Well said. A voice of reason in a sea of lunacy. What has this country come to ? It’s changed a lot of previously decent people into a baying mob, and it’s very sad to see it.
You need to find them first. They’ve always been conspicuous by their absence in times of ‘crisis’.
Read the legislation, then you’ll see why the management haven’t been arrested. In the meantime, you could do worse than to refrain from alleging wrongdoing against comainies whilst not in full possession of the facts.
Red Funnel are just as guilty. Seaview is awash with arrogant, ignorant DFL’s. Keep away you idiots!
DFL’s – We’re coming to get ya…
We should do a protest in Seaview and Bembridge!!!!
I can’t stand those DFL arrogant tw@ts
Is not only just people from London!!! No need to assume everyone is coming from London!!!
Not true at all. Fake news. Why not read the current legislation before you comment. Making statements like that one is part of the problem because too many people see it in writing and assume it is correct.
The ferry companies Bob and Dave should of done a locked down last night what useless idots
On the Isle Of Man some one jailed for 4 weeks
for traveling there
this is what we need here
instead of the D.F.Ls ( down from London )
coming to their second homes for the festive season
and maybe bring the infection here to our island
pushing us into a higher tier
as an ex serviceman I will willing police the border
as the police do not have the manpower to do this ?
or won,t
Anybody else up for this
It’s not that the Police won’t do it, they are so pushed as it is and just don’t have enough resources to. Only one person to blame for that too.
Who’s that then
Duh the Government for cutting resources down 20%.
Its not law,so Police should not be used even if there were enough ?
Ah, here come the vigilantes! Does anyone seriously want the regime in place on the Isle of Man? Makes Reet-Smug look like a raving leftie.
Have you not thought, I live on the Island but work in Portsmouth, yet you want police to stop me and check, I have a family to feed and money I earn goes into the island economy,
They don’t like it up em mr mannering
Mainwaring
What rubbish, do you really wanna live in nazi Germany because that’s how its getting with bozo Boris stabbing in the dark
Count me in Roe…time to start neutralising the threat from a slightly different angle…
Just what border would that be? The one separating the Wight Isle Republic of from it’s former Colonial owner, Queen Victoria!
He was arrested as he crossed to the isle of man by jet ski not for any other hyped up covid nonsense reason.
He was arrested because he didn’t have a permit to enter the Isle of Man. Even if he had one he would be required to come through Douglas. Why do all this? The Isle of Man is Covid free, no social distancing, no masks and normal life. Very different to the Isle of Wight because almost nobody takes a 3-4 hour ferry to commute to work in the UK.
Count me in.
Freakin selfish tossers the lot of them.
Surely these people are breaking the law, and so the ferry companies have a duty to stop them? Or at least they should inform the police who would then hopefully stop those without law-abiding reason to travel. We saw it before and we will see it again – these selfish, selfish people will simply force the infection rate up over here.
The ferry companies have no legal dury, or legal powers to stop them. In the same way that shop keepers and assistants may request that people wear a face mask when entering a shop, they have no way to legally enforce the rule. Only the police can do that. Shop assistants are civvys the same as you and me. They are also warned that if they question a person’s medical reason for not wearing a mask, they may be guilty of an offence under the Disability Discrimination Act.
I seem to recall when the Pandemic started public transport systems were either being shutdown completely or bleating that they were unable to carry a sufficient number of people due to social distancing requirements to be economic.
ALL seems to have been conveniently forgotten by the ferry companies and the rail operators (last evening’s images of people at London stations).
IF the rules (guidance) were so important in the first outbreak, how come the companies are now conveniently not taking any responsibility for ensuring safety?
oh yes…MONEY!!
Just done a random price check on wight link, leaving Portsmouth today, return new years day, £110 for a car and 4 people, £102.40 for a foot passenger, not as hiked up as i thought they would be.
£102 for a foot passenger?! Now that’s a serious rip-off!
Hope not gotta go work Wednesday
Except it’s not true .go look for yourself .I have .
Ferry companies are corrupt
Our visitors who are have now cancelled were charged £160 for a car and two people, arriving at Yarmouth on 22nd and leaving on 27th.
Should of stopped Ferries from Portsmouth and then police patrol at Southampton. Our Hospital could get over capacity in new year, also Bird flu in the background. Happy New Year you are all Selfish . No thought for others.
The only reason there are so many more cases being reported now is because more testing is being done, and unfortunately some of the tests are showing a false positive. I won’t bother posting links because there are arguments on both sides about whether it’s true or not. The best thing to do is step back from all the news reports and the campaign groups who are posting propaganda on social media, then ask yourself what’s likely to be the truth. Make up your own mind rather than letting any newspaper, tv news channel, scruffy git in a blue suit called Bojo, or facebook expert tell you what to think.
Happy Christmas.
The DfLs don’t give a whatsit about the rules. Plenty of previous examples of that.
The johnson knows these rules/advice/guidance (does anyone which is which?) are unenforceable, so he can’t get the blame.
Given his prolific offspring, it’s surprising that he has no balls.
You talk a lot of ball
Over half the Island are from London.
Isle of Wight is London by the Sea
Hear hear
I’m from London, lived here for 30yrs. But gets right on my tits that the islanders assume that it’s just people from London that are coming over! They’re coming from everywhere mainly Portsmouth now, not JUST London!!!!
Well said!!
The hatred on here is very sad,when this all goes away in the future all the folk that HATE anyone from the mainland because of their lifestyles will be begging them to come over and spend their money,notice how many businesses have closed so far? Happy xmas all,i wish you all well ……..
Tiers 4 Fears playing on board?
Ferry companies need to be made accountable for these actions, the govt have clearly said you shouldn’t travel to or from a tier 3 or 4, Yet ferry companies aren’t helping the effort.
Everyone needs to be on board with this and that includes the ferry companies.
The only reason the ferries should be running is too bring freight and post etc the essentials only.
All I can say is I hope everyone is prepared for our tier to be changed in the new year and too be locked down because of selfish people flooding the island to escape the tier they are in.
All our hardwork and perseverance I’m afraid is going to be all in vain because of it.
The whole point of tiers is to isolate the virus, what’s the point in even being in tiers if you have people leaving the tier they are in to move to another tier and therefore spreading the virus once again.
Honestly people need to use there brain and realise that the more they spread the virus the longer we will ultimately be in this situation of in and out of lockdown and up and down in tiers.
And once again before anyone starts accusing me of having an island mentality it’s nothing to do with it it’s about using an ounce of common bloody sense.
London on tier 4
is the bar in the houses of parliament still open ?
Yes it is and always has been
Yes Bob the Sausage Seely has taken a load of half eaten sausages up there & put em on the bar so they can serve food & stay open
Terrible people coming here for from those areas bringing the difference strain here will wipe are hospital out bringing unnecessary strain to are island just stay at your own area it’s not hard
Park dean resorts like the other holiday parks should be shut down. Allowing these idiots to come over and stay is just stupid won’t be tier 1 for much longer
Selfish people ignorant coming here go back were you came from
Yet your bigoted statement is not ignorant ?
That statement makes no sense
Your point is incredibly petty “Dfl”. Whilst the original comment has been poorly structured the point they’re making is still clear.
For those of you who have travelled from Tier 4 areas to the IOW your actions are incredibly selfish and potentially puts peoples lives at risk. All for the sake of a couple of days of normality at Christmas. Whilst I can appreciate that Christmas is important for so many, it does not excuse the selfish actions of those knowingly travelling from higher risk areas. For most there will be other christmases to celebrate, but the actions of the selfish few may result in it being the last for those who are most vulnerable.
U vote UKIP?
Regardless of yesterday’s tier 4 announcement, tier 3 should also not be travelling out of their area or staying away from their homes so whether they got on a ferry before or after midnight it’s still breaking the same rules! Good luck St Mary’s is all I can say 🙁
Shame on Wightlink for letting them on there. There again all Wightlink & Red Funnel see is pound signs…
They don’t want to stop it, they know what address people are booking from, if camp sites are doing it so should they ………… disgusting
BOATS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CANCELLED
Then how would you stock the shops, get your medicines, newspapers, letters and parcels and attend essential mainland medical appointments.
Be careful what you wish for!
I’m fairly confident John meant “cancelled to social commuters”. At least supplier’s of medicine, food etc come and go and are usually checked before they can even start work let alone come to the island. At least I assume that’s what he meant
I mean for people escaping Tier 4 areas and coming to the Island for a jolly.
Of course let stock and appointment happen.
Mmmm, Just seen about at least 50 odd motorcyclists and scooters parked on the lake industrial estate. Could be local of course, but last time i saw that amount was in the summer.
Silly me perhaps they are bringing vital supplies to the island. Or God help us something else.
Thanks Mr Hat. That’s a relief
All the local motorcyclists and scooters meet at the lake industrial estate are doing the Christmas toy run they do it every year
Whatever mate! Blockade the gaff. Proper island mentality.
‘I’VE NEVER SEEN THE MIDNIGHT FERRY SO BUSY’
This headline is in quotes marks – so who actually said those words?
Considering how late in the day the announcement was made, it’s hardly a surprise that so many people rushed to get to their intended destination before the deadline happened. It was the same in the London mainline railway stations, but as usual, we had all the holier than thou experts bleating about how selfish, evil and inconsiderate they were.
All those who have come over at this moment in time show themselves as being selfish with no thoughts for anyone else. God help us if we had to rely on these people in an even worse crisis, let’s hope none of them need are one and only hospital.
Don’t you think it’s somewhat judgmental to call them selfish with no thought for anyone else ? Because unless you have met them personally, and they’ve told your their reasons for travelling, then you are speculating. Some of them are probably even island residents coming home for Christmas.
You’ve got to be kidding!
That is utterly disgusting. Don’t these idiots have any conscience?
Shame on the authorities and ferry companies for allowing this to happen. Stricter checks and rules to the island should be enforced. Not just looking at the colour of money!!!!
Just my view of course.
Well see you all in 6 mounts
Thanks ya know we didn’t want to see our family’s
Ha! Ha! Island Echo certainly knows how to wind up all you keyboard warriors with headlines guaranteed to get the fingers tapping and all sense of reason going out the window.
Not hearing much about a fixed link.
If Boris is in charge, it will be OVEN READY like BREXIT was in 12 months!
Boris is King of the 1 liners!
Dip Stick!!
Such is the strength of feeling against him now there’s even a song about him in the charts. It was number 8 last time I looked, but I won’t mention the name of it because it’s a bit rude. Although if you google, “boris johnson is a sausage roll” you might find a safe for work version.
This is not at all surprising, T2, 3’s &DFL’s were coming anyway and loads already here before the mention of T4.
They don’t give a shit about islanders, and never have so the sooner this is expected then there will be no surprise when we are also in T4 after Christmas.
If we’re not allowed to travel then why do people disobey the regulations? Would love to be on the island for Christmas but please keep it safe so we can come over next year. Happy safe Christmas Islanders xx
Ignorant, Selfish, people that are travelling from tier 3 and 4 to their second homes on the island should be arrested.
How many people will they pass it on to, or even kill because of their Ignorant behaviour, and they will be the first to blame the Government when covid spreads across the island…
You cant just blame the ferry companies for allowing them to travel hotel & caravan park owners/ Managers are just as bad for excepting them & allowing them to stay they already know where their clients are coming from from their booking they should of turned them away as soon as they arrived if people travelled on the midnight ferry by the time they got to their campsite or hotel they would be breaking the law hotel s etc shouldnt have accepted them
Bet the ferry companies can’t believe their good fortune. No doubt there will be festive champers all round as they count money. Just a shame they can’t grow a spine !!
Stay at home your not wanted here selfish horrible arrogant people
St Mary’s on the Island is one of the worse Hospitals in the country for services provided,
Most patients have to travel to the Mainland for Treatment that is not provided by the Islands one and only Hospital.
THEREFORE LETTING PEOPLE TRAVEL TO THE ISLAND FROM HIGHER TIERS IS ALL WRONG!
HOTELS AND HOLIDAY CAMPS ETC LETTING THEM STAY SHOULD BE FINED AND CLOSED DOWN!
I wonder how many will be staying in their 2nd Homes and CHALETS etc!
SEND THEM ALL BACK HOME.
‘as they have no powers to stop people.’!!
Any business does have the right to refuse to provide a service
Those parasites shouldn’t be allowed to step on this clean virus free island !!!!!
We had visitors from all over the country and the world all summer and yet we are tier 1 so let’s put the pitch fork away for now.
I know who’s kyber I would like to shove the pitch fork,
Anyone seen Wancock!
I feel sorry for the poor low paid staff who work at hotels like Daishs and the like , they must be really worried about catching the virus, they also end your contract when you need them most can’t even be bothered to furlough loyal staff, they only care about money
To all you second home owners & visitors to the IOW. By reading the comments to this news item, you are about as welcome as a ‘turd in a swimming pool’! So, instead of contaminating my lovely island with your arrogant, rude & selfish attitudes, be good little tw@ts & pi55 off from where you came & belong… 🙂
What’s lovely about this island these days??? Bring em over!!!
Dont get used too tier 1 then guys.selfish greedy ferry companies dont give a crap about the islanders
Nor seely obv
The Government have encouraged the spread of the virus by letting people travel, if they cared they would have stopped THEM!
My family lives on the Isle of Wight and the last I saw them was in February this year. I live in Edinburgh Scotland and have been advised Not to travel. So it makes me feel annoyed that people who are in the higher level is visiting the island. We are lucky to get the chance of putting the bins out once a week let lone go visiting others. Shame on these people who think it won’t happen to them….. Rant over…
So who will be to blame if people here start dying from Covid… The Ferry operators, whom if cared about peoples lives more than money could stop non resident people coming over … or maybe the Government for keeping schools open…. or is it the parents that do not care if their offspring walk around in groups without masks on ? Or MAYBE everyone wants another National Lockdown ?
they should be refused medical treatment unless they can produce there driving licence which will have the real home address on
F. Ing joke bet shitelink bosses will have bonus now and still cut workers pension
redfunnel webcam
https://youtu.be/iqWuH4Pze6Y