The bereaved have been flouting socially distancing rules at the Isle of Wight Crematorium, a meeting of the Isle of Wight Cabinet heard.
Reminders have been issued to those visiting the crematorium to stick to the protective COVID measures – as a lack of adherence has become a concern and could put at risk those working there.
During the second lockdown, funerals can still take place but must stick to the guidance of having no more than 30 people attending, if social distancing allows that many people, and face coverings must be worn when attending indoor places of worship, crematoria and burial grounds unless you are exempt.
The Isle of Wight Council’s bereavement services team, however, has raised concerns that when people visit the Crematorium, in Whippingham, ‘all thoughts around social distancing and safety go right out of the window’.
Cabinet member for community safety, Councillor Gary Peace, said he understands why social distancing measures may be forgotten at such a hard time but it was vitally important people follow the hands, face, space message. He said:
“I know it is a terribly difficult time for family and friends and they all want to hug and console each other but what we cannot forget is we need to keep maintaining our social distancing, and wear masks.
“If we want to keep the numbers low on the Island, and keep the pressure off St Mary’s Hospital and the bereavement services also, we need to make sure people are still following those guidelines.”
The measures are also in place to protect the bereavement staff that work at the Crematorium, as Cllr Peace said it would not take very many people to get sick before maintaining the service would become a real issue.
On one occasion the staff had seen a full chapel, of 28 people, but not one person was wearing a mask indoors, despite the guidance now making it mandatory unless you are exempt.
Leader of the council, Cllr Dave Stewart, said he would ask the chief executive of the council, to see if the new COVID support officers would be able to help out, stating ‘we don’t want people getting infected at the worst possible time’.
That’s flouting with a “u”.
Keep your distance like BOJO obviously didn’t!
Ah yes the man who conveniently got coronavirus at the peak of 1st lockdown as a warning to follow the rules.
then he conveniently has to self isolate after meeting someone with symptoms during lockdown # 2.
If so then 2 questions.
1: If he has to self isolate does that mean he is at risk of contracting a different strain therefore making a vaccine useless?
2: If the vaccine is produced soon and can cure coronavirus, why can’t we have a magical flu vaccine for seasonal flu that can do the exact same?
No vaccine can cure any virus!
So you admit this vaccine is pointless and we should just have herd immunity?
Doh! Have you for your Homer Simpson brain in gear, what about Polio was cured, TB, Diptheria,
Try reading at the link below before you spout a load of ol’ tosh.
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/diseases/forgot-14-diseases.html
Look how many millions payed out quietly, to people who suffered vaccine injuries.Ask why no one mentions that.
More positives than negatives, a bit like your comments.
They must have been doing the same as the council staff on the old floating boat a week or so ago
If its ok for them it must be ok for all.
Having recently been to a funeral I can say that a ‘celebrant’ was misinforming people beforehand by saying it was ok to take your mask off indoors! That’s what happens when you get people doing a job they shouldn’t be doing as they are not fully conversant with the latest legislation.
The doctors at the hospital don’t wear masks or social distance when having their breaks which sets a good example to others! NOT
Would not surprise me, does that tell you something!
How are they supposed to drink their coffee or eat with a mask on?
how are they supposed to do tiktok dances too?
By sitting 2 metres apart and not in group’s of more than their asked to do
Where’s the enforcement ?
Counsellor suggests putting a covid “support”officer at funerals.. Might as well just punch themselves in the face before leaving home.
More people in Tesco,!
utter tripe
this virus has already circulated the planet, it is widespread and has a 99.98% recovery rate – just dump the stupid, controlling and pointless measures and get back to normal – if you are so worried- stay in doors.
100% wrong…. UK ~ 1.3 million infections ~52,000 deaths = ~4% death rate so 96% survival rate.
Councillor ‘Pugwash’ Stewart can spare Covid support staff to police the funerals of our dear departed but couldn’t stop the great mass of entitled superiors flooding the Isle of Wight for six months! Not his business to stop the Sloane Rangers in the big cars (kayaks on the roof, bicycles, etc) getting off the ferries. No, we were ‘good to go’ all summer. Tune is changing now, people. Your all going to get it. Good luck with that, and don’t blame your children, blame your leaders.
The so-called COVID Marshalls have no enforcement powers whatsoever, so all they will be achieving is increasing the number of people present.
The other option is the issuing of fines, but hold-on, this would mean fining the Crematorium staff, and oh dear, they are Council employees – whoops.
I know this is a sensitive time for people, but it is up to the Council’s OWN STAFF to control this.
Try looking to your own rules, policies and procedures Mr Stewart!