Reacting to his constituents’ concerns and ever-evolving government advice, Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has sought reassurance from the government, public services and the ferries over plans to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak.
Bob said:
“I am focussing on a series of issues relating to the Island. Yesterday I talked with the Chief Executives of the Isle of Wight Council and IOW NHS Trust to discuss the Island’s response to coronavirus. I am expecting a full update on their resilience plans in the next 24 hours.
Article continues below this advertisement “I have also written to the Isle of Wight ferry companies to invite them to discuss their resilience plans with me.
“Yesterday evening I sought assurances from the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, that he is giving consideration to remote areas of the UK such as the Isle of Wight. He assured me that he is.
“I want to make sure we have clear guidance for vulnerable Islanders – which includes the elderly and those with underlying health conditions and I want to make sure that people understand when to self-isolate.
“Yesterday I asked Health Minister, Ed Argar, about insurance companies honouring business interruption insurance. I am concerned about the significant impact to businesses both nationally and on the Isle of Wight if they decide not to honour this.
If you have any concerns Bob has invited Islanders to email him – [email protected].
I think people should be stopped from travelling off and onto the Island while we have only one confirmed case. Only allow freight. Then we’ll be able to stop any new cases coming here and protect our most vulnerable residents and our businesses. With so many businesses reliant on seasonal trade they will already be very vulnerable but many small businesses will go under if they have to close for weeks and we’ll have thousands added to the unemployed numbers. Close the border now and we could be one of the few places in the world to remain COVID-19 free. Then, maybe, we fine specimens will have to repopulate the earth!
I’m with u on this….close the ports stop the virus spreading
perhaps Mr Seely could seek reassurance from his puppet masters, that they will financially protect small businesses like pubs, restaurants, & others reliant on public attendance for their income, from the government’s almost casual advice asking people to stay away!
I suggest he speaks to StMarys hospital and ask some serious questions as to why the emergency planning dept has failed its staff, why these overpaid trough eating gravy trainers have failed to provide proper protection for the front line staff? Sending ambulance staff out without proper protective masks, just some cheap things that aren’t suitable for a big percentage of staff. Sack them now.
Debbie Jones has hit it on the head….close the ports open only to freight..that will stop infected people coming over and give us chance to contain it and deal with what ever cv cases we get