Hampshire Constabulary is reminding Islanders about non-essential travel over the Easter period, especially with an upturn in weather expected.
Normally, the Easter holidays would signify catching up with family and friends and spending time outside in the many open spaces, beaches and national parks that are available to us throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. However, in these unprecedented times, the public, as well as the police, are continuing to adjust to the new measures put in place by the UK Government due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Assistant Chief Constable Scott Chilton has today (Friday) said:
“As we all adjust to these new measures, it has been reassuring to see how well people have adapted to quite unique and challenging circumstances. And I want to thank you for that.
“We appreciate that everyone will want to take advantage of the expected upturn in weather and visit local green spaces, beaches and national parks.
“But right now, our main priority is to protect our local communities, and as such we would urge everyone to follow the government advice; stay at home to prevent the spread of infection and keep our loved ones safe.
“We will continue to be out this weekend to ensure social distancing is happening and everyone is staying safe.”
The public are being reminded that the Government have advised that people should only leave their home for very limited purposes, which include:
- shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine
- one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household
- any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
- travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home
ACC Chilton, continued:
“We are trying to engage, explain and encourage everyone to follow the advice being issued by my officers.
“We may need to ask you about your circumstances if we see you out and about or travelling so please continue to consider if your journey is essential.
“However, where people do not comply, then we will direct people to go home, and, if necessary, we will issue a fine. We see this as a last resort, but we will use our powers if we have to.
“Each and every one of us can find a way to interpret the law to suit our individual circumstances. The whole purpose of these measures is to avoid unnecessary contact and reduce the spread of infection. We all have a part to play in that”.
For those that are unaware as of today 2 more of our country’s angels at the NHS paid the ultimate price for caring for others.
If you have ANY dignity you will STAY in over this weekend. And shame on you if you don’t.
Yes it’s looks like a good weather weekend, but there will be others. Like it or not you will be contributing towards the spread of this virus.
THIS VIRUS DON’T SPREAD ITSELF….. PEOPLE SPREAD THIS VIRUS.
I would give all those in cars and motorcycles points on their licence. And cyclists name and shame. You don’t need to walk the dog in say Niton if you live in Cowes.
Look, if you had to see your missus come home every day and break down in tears, because they are also scared, but know they have a job to do maybe you would look at this in a different way.
Please stay home.
Red,
Whilst those who live in detached houses with large enough gardens to avoid the noise, dope smoke and ‘music’ and the screaming of children and barking dogs of the surrounding neighbours it is fairly ‘easy’ to stay at home for months on end in ever warmer weather.
Sadly many of us are stuck with anti social beings, and just to drive a few miles into peace, beauty, to see the Spring, for what, for many of us could well be the last time, seems very very low risk to others, and in truth in our postage stamp gardens, is likely less risky than the neighbours adhd idiot child keep throwing it’s ball over the fence.
Whilst we understand not to mix, those who just drive to an isolated beauty spot are not risking any lives more than if sat a few yards away from the delightful neighbours, where their dope can be smelt, I imagine that there germs can reach similar distances.
I realise the police and HMG give advice to stay put, they have too, to cover those who will sit in groups on the beaches, or in parks, etc, so, they do a ‘one rule to fit all’ but IF you are sensible, then imo you can be less of a risk than being in your tiny garden.
Really sad to hear your wife is so upset, and she is a very brave women and only vile people would do anything to make her life or others in her situation worse.
Just that I think, driving carefully away from hell to the ONE thing left, the Isles natural beauty is not honestly risking her or others lives or safety anymore than staying put for the reasons given.
Take care of her, for living Angels are rare.
Link to show how if you can smell the smoke of your neighbour then the air bourne virus can be a risk:
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/how-long-coronavirus-lives-in-air-174541949.html
This is one of the myths circulating the internet.
The article is a little irresponsible because uses frightening and somewhat misleading language and is a little misleading.
The tests they refer to were done in laboratory conditions – i.e. absolutely still air.
In the real world aerosolised particles disperse and settle quickly due to air currents and wind.
We do not walk around leaving clouds of virus when we go outside and it certainly does not hang around for hours – if it did it would travel very quickly and infect those indoors as well as those who go out. The entire population of towns and cities would be infected within days.
The WHO have so far found no evidence that this is happening and the infection rates back their findings.
Definitely take care to follow social distancing and hand washing / hygiene guidelines but also be aware that information can spread like a virus too.
I agree but ALL cars and motorbikes points? What about those angels you talk about getting to work? Some of us have to drive still with no choice and not just nurses.
Remember there are many legitimate reasons people may be out driving – NHS workers, key workers, supermarket/food employees, those looking after elderly relatives by dropping off food, those who can’t get food deliveries and need to shop for essentials, etc. None of this is frivolous and all are permitted under the lockdown rules.
It’s quite terrifying that the infection could easily be passed on BY police who haven’t been equipped with masks, etc., and might not distance when stopping people when they might well be going about necessary business in order to survive or help others survive.
Single drivers out on the roads should not be stopped unless there is a real suspicion they’re up to no good. Much better to police the actual behaviour which causes a problem – people gathering or clearly flouting their new rules rather than solo in a car where, frankly, what harm can they possibly do in terms of spreading anything?
Stay In, enjoy what you have now, because if you decide to go out and mingle, you might not have it for very long. Sorry to be blunt.
My wife works at the hospital so please spare a thought for all the NHS workers.
I hope that the Police have a presence at ferry ports and stop those who think they can come to the Isle of Wight
Well I hope people listen to the police after this appeal because I have been out delivering this week and each day there are more and more cars on the road, police driving around but saw no one stopped, this situation wont be forever so come on you selfish people stop this it “wont happen to me” attitude!!
Ok, as long as you stop assuming that all (or even most) of the people you see out driving don’t have a valid reason to do so.
The vast majority of us are following the rules but as time goes on we will start to run out of food or, as in my case, need to collect vital equipment from our workplace in order to carry on working from home.
im far from selfish buddy i have to go to work to pay my bills and feed my family as i dont get any help so my choice is die from starvation or loose my home or go to work and maybe die
so am i selfish???
the big firms the self employed over a year of self employment tho people on the dole and so on all get help
but then there is the self employed of less than 1 year that are trying to make a life rather than draining the state benefits got zilch help
so am i selfish?
I haven’t seen any police around at all in Ryde. In police cars or walking about
26 vehicles have gone down the Broadway in Sandown in the last 3 minutes!! Lock down…..what lock down!!!
Every day people are congregating in Northwood Cemetary playing loud music and drinking. Where are the police most probably in supermarket and other car parks making sure your trip there is essential. For God’s sake get a grip and do your job properly
I hope the Police are wearing masks and keeping back at least 2 metres from any cars they stop to prevent infecting drivers.
Remember, there are many legitimate reasons why people may need to drive – some people have to work (NHS, key workers, food supply/supermarkets, community volunteers, etc.), some have to shop for food, some have to shop for and take food to someone elderly/vulnerable, etc., which also means needing to keep topped up with petrol in order to reach them.
None of them deserve to risk being infected by ill-equipped, Police officers not observing distancing rules for going about their permissible business.