The Isle of Wight’s MP has welcomed the news that the Island will be placed into Tier 1 restrictions from next Wednesday – 1 of just 3 locations in the country to be rated as such.
As reported by Island Echo earlier today, the Isle of Wight has escaped the stricter measures of Tiers 2 and 3 thanks to the low number of infections here. The Island is generally considered one of the safest places in the country in terms of COVID-19 and as a result, life is starting to return to normal here at a quicker pace.
Bob Seely MP has said in a statement:
“I am grateful that the Government has listened to arguments put forward by myself and others that first, the Island should be treated as an island, and second, that we should be in the lowest tier.
“This is a sensible approach and a recognition of the fact that not only do we have relatively low infection rates on the Island, but our separation by sea from the mainland acts as a natural barrier to the spread of the virus.
“Island businesses have suffered as a result of the second lockdown. I hope that those that have been forced to close will now reopen and I hope that for those Islanders now doing their Christmas shopping, we will do our best to support local Island-owned businesses.
“I spoke with officials last night about the roll out of the vaccine on the Isle of Wight, which should start within a month. I hope that this will mark the beginning of the end of the pandemic and we can look forward to Easter with optimism.
“I want to thank again the NHS and care home staff for their vital work over the last few months, and the Council for their work.
Article continues below this advertisement “It is clear that there are significant lessons to learn over how we have tackled the coronavirus pandemic, and how Government functions. For now, I am satisfied that we have been placed in tier one and that the Government has listened to us. I am also hopeful that with the vaccines, there is light at the end of the tunnel in what has been a frankly wretched year.”
Yeah, l bet he is, he’ll want those ferries full to the brim .
Well said
Remember, if lockdowns worked, you’d never need to do a 2nd one. If lockdowns worked, you’d never need local tier rules. If local tier rules worked, you’d never need a 2nd lockdown. If a 2nd lockdown worked, you’d never need more tier rules – a 3rd lockdown in all but name.
He can’t comment on anything else, but he can comment on people coming here from tier 2 and tier 3 areas. T**t!
They’ll be over here in their droves Norton Grange reopens next week and fully booked – wonder where they are all from!
Glad to see notices around certain places saying no coaches, it’s a help.
Our MP won’t comment as you say – he has too many mates who are loaded and money talks with that lot!
Lockdown ends on Dec 2nd to be replaced with Lockdown…then it will be the 3rd wave…thanks Bob I hope you took a 20% cut as you have not worked since March 🙂
I guess all his journo mates will be rushing to their second homes for a party time Christmas, with ‘guess who’ as guest of honour! Let’s see if he TELLS the ferry companies to reign in their greed to keep us safe, unless he is trousering a nice fat bonus for ‘helping’ them out of course!!! His greed and dislike of all Islanders will be confirmed unless he starts to help, not kill us.
Well said. Why does he only thank a few people ? All key workers played their part. And why doesn’t he stop the hoards arriving which no doubt they will and we’ll end up in tier 2 for Christmas and beyond. It’s all about money to him and getting a slap on the back for “his” good work keeping our levels low! Vote him out
Shame our ferries weren’t built by the same company who built the floating bridge.
Then we would likely ever see many ‘visitors’.
They will bring death, and life changing injuries to many now, shame as so close to vaccine.
Like getting shot on the last day of the war.
thats the spirit .wait you are mad aren’t you
He says the sea acts as a barrier against the virus. Well if we didnt have public transport across the solent then yes.. Bookings are flying in for Dec coming from tier 2 and prob 3, what’s the point?
Bob says ” our separation by sea from the mainland acts as a natural barrier to the spread of the virus.”. Why can’t they stop visitors and it’s a pity that with the Vaccine so close to being ready we could not just have a really quiet Christmas with only family in local area, and not have people coming from all over UK, which will cause a spike in 2021, for the sake of 5 days. Some people will not see their loved ones again because of catching Covid-19 from people coming from Tier 2 and Tier 3.
All round SEAVIEW for a Barbie
The Island is an Island why not state the obvious!
tiers have been allocated by county the Isle of Wight is a county and should have been separate from Hampshire anyway.
That stretch of water is only a defence if it is used to stop an influx of non essential visitors, but will Bob ask the ferries to stop bringing holiday makers here from high tier areas – of course he won’t.
We can expect a huge influx of 2nd home owners and holiday makers from everywhere including tier 3 areas.
Dave Stewart has just been on TV asking that people do not come to the Island, instead of asking he should be making it harder for them to come.
He is a complete waste of space. He says “it’s probably not a good idea to visit the island” Probably?! Where is his authority? They’re all worried about profits and money not lives and health. We’ve not long now and the light is at the end of the tunnel so if we keep the island quiet until January we may still avoid a third lockdown and all those business in dire straits will be able to remain open. Celebrate together when it’s safe it makes no difference when it is.
24 hours later he is supporting visit isle of wight’s campaign “Travel the Wight Way” asking visitors to follow the rules – not continuing with his do not come to the Island request,
Grow a pair Dave and stop non essential travel to the island
Wightlink and Red Funnel will say they cannot ‘police’ people using their ferries. But CalMalc did and very successfully stopped passengers boarding their ferries who were trying to travel to other Scottish islands or the Scottish mainland for unnecessary reasons. So why not Wightlink or Red Funnel do the same. Ahh, let’s think for a moment, mmmmmm, profit over safety.
You do talk twaddle. We are meant to be part of England! Many travel the Solent for work! Should they stay at home, not work lose their home not be able to feed their family. We should just be grateful that this horrible virus is fairly low over here and feel for people who are in higher tiers
Shut up idiot.
We won’t be in tier 1 for very long unless the visitors are stopped coming here from higher tiers. The rise in cases here has doubled because of visitors coming here proves that. The cases where low before the summer swarming.
You need to get your facts straight. During the summer months figures were very low. It was when schools and universities returned. Soon the Island won’t have visitors and then where will you be. Doh
Omg delusion is an understatement, roll out a dodgy vaccine that hasn’t even been tested on animals, no thanks!