Despite pleas to reopen public toilets now lockdown restrictions are easing, some town and parish councils have decided to keep them shut to avoid any ‘unnecessary risk’.
Some areas of the Island have had no access to public toilets since the start of lockdown, as a way to prevent the spread of the virus.
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said the decision to open a public toilet would rest with individual councils. They said:
“There is not currently any specific government guidance, but we would suggest a common-sense approach should be taken.
“There is nothing in the current regulations requiring toilets to be shut. Those responsible for managing toilet blocks would need to undertake a risk assessment for any staff cleaning or supporting this facility.
“Infection control for users and the potential spread of Covid-19 should also be considered.”
Across the Island, some councils have decided to open the stall doors.
After ‘extensive consideration’, Sandown Town Council decided to open public toilets at Yaverland, Eastern Gardens and St John’s last weekend but only from 09:00-18:00. Deep cleans were undertaken, signage and guidance provided, with distancing markers and hand sanitising stations part of the arrangements to re-opening.
Cowes Town Council, however, opened public toilets from 13th May, when unlimited exercise was allowed and requests for them to open started coming in. A spokesperson for the town council said the cleaners had personal protective equipment to protect themselves and extra effort was made to sanitise all contact surfaces.
“These are public facilities and users must take ‘personal responsibility’ and use common sense when using a communal facility: maintain social distancing and wash your hands thoroughly on exiting the premises”.
However, not all have councils have chosen this approach.
Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council has recently come under fire for not opening any conveniences in the town centre, leaving people who need a quick comfort break with the only option of supermarkets available. In a local bulletin, a representative of the community council said the decision to ‘close and keep closed’ the toilets had been met with complaints from those who disagreed.
East Cowes Town Council has also said their decision was based on the duty of care they have to the staff and community considering reopening the toilers and unnecessary risk but will be reviewing it on a regular basis.
Ryde Town Council has kept the majority of toilets closed but easy access facilities are open for Radar key holders although hope to open the general facilities soon having undertaken risk assessments and addressing the issues.
Until restrictions are lifted, or councillors agree otherwise, public toilets in Yarmouth will remain shut.
Shanklin Town Council are ‘deciding very soon’ whether to reopen the toilets when non-essential shops do on June 15, with measures in place so they are safe for staff and residents and have asked people to ‘respect that’.
What about people who are bowel/bladder weak and need toilets so uncaring
Stay home or buy a disposable pot on ebay, if that urgent to leave the house would be the simplest solution.
Cleaners are at risk what with the disabled often missing the pan with liquids and solids etc. Why should THEY risk their life for those who don’t really need to be out?
Seems rather selfish attitude to me.
Well i cant go out unless theres loos due to ms and bladder issues.im now resorting to peeing in a pot as i need too get out as iv been shielding and its too much!open then you bunch of tight wads.you get enough money too waist if things that dont matter!people disabled or not need them.iv got radar key but not always availability in loos.
Its up too public too protect themselves in using …common sense….too clean suit up in ppe…simples!
Be consistant councils and dont just open in some places n not in others.stupid
Sort it out! or go clean turds of the hedgerows instead then.your call!
It’s a disgrace some are still closed and very inconvenient let alone the issues and discomfort it’s causing folks with issues like IBS etc.
A reduction on council tax should be given
That will NEVER happen ever.
I thought they were all permanently closed by our oh so generous council anyway.
Absolutely scandalous at the best of times but especialy during a health pandemic.
I went to Ryde on Saturday could not find one toilet open. Drove to Tescos which had a 200 metre queue to get in the store.
So how, exactly are we supposed to keep washing our hands with no facilities available?
Unbelieveable.
It’s a joke in Shanklin- sitting on the beach the other day and you could hear people discussing whether to go in the sea or behind a beach hut because no public toilets are open.
Southern water spends millions on a new sewer system yet people are now cutting out the middle man and draining themselves straight into the sea.
Think shanklin will lose its clean beach status if this carries on.
Yet Lake parish council has had their toilets open along the revetment for a while now – stupid stupid people in charge in Shanklin
I agree with you totally & heard near enough exactly the same conversation with a family, she decided on the sea in the end, cos she didn’t want people to see her bare arse hanging out from behind a beach hut!!!
tips closed loos closed parks walkways closed can I claim a rebate on my council tax
Yes let’s start a petition to demand Council Tax payments to be lowered. No services, what do we actually pay for ? Cone on councillors answer that one.
No
And what about carers delivery drivers postman amberlance drivers we all need to use public toilets, what are we paying our council tax for , please please reopen them
I doubt the loos in County Hall are closed. But still we don’t count.
I was told not too long ago by a clr that places like carparks and toilets are closed to discourage the use of beaches and thats from the horses mouth
I have Crohns disease & I am currently Sheilding,sadly my life revolves around toilets! I have 2 children that have asked if we could just go out for a drive somewhere to get out of the house but bcos I know the toilets are closed it makes me anxious about going out so we don’t. Depending on how long toilets are going to stay closed, eventually wen i go back to work if they are not re-open my life will be a nightmare for traveling to my job’s as I will be extremely anxious & stressed. It really isn’t fair as it is a human right.
I have Crohn’s disease I’ve been at home since March. I would like to leave my house at some post this summer. And without a public toilet open in Shanklin I’ll be to worried too.
I find it shocking how many people with various illnesses and disease wish to be out, using public toilets in such dangerous times, as CV, survives a long while in human excreta.
Put down plenty of paper first and on the seat IF you have to be out and use them. The cleaning is often basic to say the least.
I wonder how long before the island smells like 1 big toilet with people weeing and pooping everywhere have to start bleaching pavements ect soon
I’d get your facts straight next time
Who needs to get their facts straight ?
A bit pointless when crowds of people are cramming onto Tube Trains in London and now flying.