Continued adherence to the COVID rules and regulations in place has seen the Isle of Wight retain its Tier 1 status in today’s Government review, providing a further boost to the local community.
The news means that the Isle of Wight is still one of the safest places in the country in terms of the COVID-19 virus. However, the same can’t be said for just 5 miles away in Portsmouth. Havant, Gosport and Pompey have all been thrown into Tier 3 restrictions.
Ferries will continue to run to and from Portsmouth but those living in Portsmouth shouldn’t be travelling to the Island. Islanders are being encouraged not to visit Portsmouth for Christmas shopping due to the additional risk it poses. That said, cross-Solent operators have confirmed they have no authority to question why people are travelling.
Speaking about today’s confirmation of Tier 1 status, Council leader Dave Stewart has said:
“With the roll out of vaccinations against Covid-19 starting earlier this week, today’s announcement that the Island will remain in Tier 1 is a further boost for our community. Together we have reduced our infection rate to one of the lowest in the country — but as we enter the festive season we must not let our guard down.
“We do not want to undo the fantastic work of our public health team in keeping our residents safe, and that is why I am asking those who visit us to follow the rules.
“Please do not travel to and from the Isle of Wight to a Tier 3 area — which now includes Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant, as well as many other areas in the South East, unless it is for work, health or other exempt reasons.
“Please do not travel from the Island to a Tier 3 area for Christmas shopping — there are so many local businesses and food and drink providers that we can all support this Christmas.
Article continues below this advertisement “Any attempt to stretch the rules could result in a further lockdown in January and bring more pressure to many businesses that are already in a fragile position as a result of the trading challenges they have already faced this year. They have worked extremely hard to maintain Covid-safe premises and I thank them for that.
“We are working in partnership with colleagues from the police to mitigate any issues caused by people travelling between tiers. That includes ferry operators and other partner agencies — this is all about informing people of the restrictions that are in place and asking them to play their part by adhering to the rules.
“Looking ahead to 2021, I hope we will retain our Tier 1 status with all of the freedoms it brings — but if we are to do so we must continue to make good choices to prevent the spread of the virus. Remember: hands-face-space-ventilate.
Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has added:
“It’s right that the Isle of Wight has retained its Tier One status and I thank Ministers for continuing to listen.
“This is good news for residents who can continue to benefit from more relaxed rules, but it is also good for our local businesses who can continue to trade under lighter restrictions. With the first of the Covid-19 vaccinations now being administered to Islanders, I hope that we are now at the beginning of the end in defeating the virus – which is the best Christmas present we could ask for.
“However, I will be talking to the police and the Council about the situation now that neighbouring areas on the mainland are in Tier Three. I would also urge residents living in areas near us, including Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant please not to visit the Island until restrictions in these areas change, unless it is for essential reasons.
“I am very well aware of how responsible Island businesses have been in ensuring that they can serve their customers safety. We will welcome back visitors from Tier Three areas as soon as those restrictions have been lifted.
“We, on the Island, also need to be mindful when visiting Tier Two and Tier Three areas. We should not be going to areas with higher infections rates unless it is for essential reasons. We don’t want to be doing Christmas shopping and bringing COVID back to the Island, especially since one in three people who have it do not know they have it.”
What about stopping people from tiers 2 & 3 travelling over here to stay over the xmas period in hotels and b&b’s etc as it appears they will be staying open which in turn will trigger a spike over here when they have long gone back
I agree, but as usual, profits for big boys before everyone else.
exactly red squirrel – the MP should be demanding the following…
police presence at all open ferry ports ..anyone attempting to travel to the island, must show island residency or proof of employment.
anyone travelling from the island must show proof of employment on the mainland.
photo id also
pretty simple and easy to implement and provides total control in 5 minutes.
if the police whine about resources, then the ferry staff can check documents as well as tickets – anyone refuses, the boat doesn’t sail with them on it until they leave or the police remove them.
So, Dave Stewart wants us Islanders to stick to the guidance on tiers, meanwhile the ferries have been packed , so everyone else can do what they want.
Might be an idea to stop advertising the iow being a safe place !!!!!
Do they really think people won’t come over ???
They really need to give ferry companies the support to stop the higher tiers coming over .
We don’t want to have another lock down which we will should have not had 5 day window meaning all will travel and spread covid 19 .
Thank you in advance !!!!
Should check who is coming over & reason for travel.
The ferries say they have no right to do this, reason want to rip off passengers without thought to our lives.
An absolute disgrace!
As per usual it’s money before our health and safety
Problem is, although excellent advice, indeed common sense, this travelling between different tiers is just that, advice. It’s not rules and it isn’t law
I’ve got an idea. Let those responsible for the non-floatie at Cowes operate the ferries. Then we will be perfectly safe.
All the pubs in Portsmouth will be closed, but ten minutes away, in Ryde, a lot of people will be enjoying a Christmas drink. I wonder what they will happen?
Get the pubs to only serve islanders no id no entry
Some pubs on the lsland are doing this but the bigger chains will serve anyone. Stick to pubs that are looking after locals.
They MUST stop tier 3 travelling to the island, after the odd few daily new cases recently it has jumped to 21 new cases today, I hope this is not the start of escalating infections, ( a result of hospitality/ holiday lets opening after lockdown). Stay safe, be sensible, enjoy a small christmas, support our local business’s.
Warners holiday camp full of holidaymakers and if the past is anything to go by they will be from the North… they’ll be open for Christmas no doubt.
To think the leisure centre closed to islanders with member leisure suspended back in March the letter received by members stated quote ‘we are suspending membership across Warner’s as the health and safety of our holidaymakers has to take priority’ …
enough said.
Daish’s hotel in Shanklin is full of the tinsel and turkey brigade, these are the people we are being asked to protect. They’re all on holiday having a lovely time and we are being asked to be sensible.Seems like we are being punished for being in tier1.
Surely if the government are urging people not to travel out of there area they should therefore be transferring powers to ferry companies which does give them the right to question people travelling to and from areas with higher tiers? It’s just in my opinion ferry companies thinking of money once again! I’m sure I’m not the only person living on the island that wants to live as near a normal life as possible? Money shouldn’t come into it.
The ferries are clearly full of people coming over here to escape there tier restrictions which will then end up spreading it over here and putting us up to tier 2 or tier 3.
Fed up of being told one thing as seeing people do the complete opposite
sadly the ferries aren’t mandated to stop and question customers and prevent travel based on “the reason for travelling” – unless the government provides the ferries with that ability – the job rests with the police
But Calmac stopped people travelling to other Scottish islands and the Scottish mainland so why not Wightlink, Hovertravel and Red Funnel. Mmmmmmm. Profit!!!
It’s owned by Scottish government. Too ensure a reliable, fair price service to the many Islands Our lot can’t even cover 100 metres of river.
During main lockdown Devon and Cornwall police was stopping every 1 ,y cant Hampshire police do stop checks outside the terminals
The travel companies have no authority so what they’re saying is they also have no duty of care for there customers either
Thing is it’s not just the ferry companies funnel wightlink etc it’s the harbours allowing yachties in I do simple work at 3 big harbours on the island who have all said they won’t stop anybody mooring for 1 day 2 days etc it’s business for them. Either way unless the councillors of this island pull their fingers out we are all looking at tier 3! Maybe even worse for our elderly residents or those with health issues. Pull ur finger out councillors it’s what we pay you for! Enough said I’m off to hibernate!
Ferries should only be used for emergency services, Mail /courier vehicles and supermarket vehicles
Any other vehicles no Boarding!
It is so easy to Action!
All Holidays should he stopped, even though the Island is Tier 1
We are not going to stay in Hotels on the Island ourselves.
The people who are booked in will be Tier 2 and Tier 3 locations!
CONTROL THE VIRUS
Exactly .They have extended furlough so the staff at these hotels could remain safe and not spread it to their families/friends.
We have 1 small hospital on our island and I for one would like to ensure they can s continue to operate without the extra stress THAT will happen if tier 3 all come to the island .
Also the custody suite was full only a few weeks ago due to drunken brawls and that puts our police under pressure dealing with the stupid idiots .
Meanwhile stay safe hands face and space.
While we can !!!!!!
Trouble with the ferries ect its profit 1st before health
Everyone should mail the MP calling for the ferry companies to stop unnecessary travel. I have.
Hope the environmental health officials attend the hotels where these tiers 2 & 3 guests are staying and make them aware that 1. Tier 2 guests can only consume alcohol with a substantial meal and 2. tier 3 guests cannot consume alcohol at all. The big companies on the island should be setting a president by closing to tiers 2&3 and not putting islanders at risk, surely they have a duty of care as well to the staff that have to deal first hand with these guests
Does the tier system in pubs and restaurants still apply over the Christmas period.lf so there’s going to be a lot of unhappy customers.
Yes it does, wherever you are from you have to act as if in your own tier.
I have heard of lots of premises that were visited by council officials are now stopping tier 3’s from entering after checkin i/d, no i/d no entry, tier 2 can only drink if they have a substantial meal so pubs that donot sell food willnot allow tiers 2 & 3 in as i understand it.
“IOW remains one of the safest places in the Country” Really? Not with our motorists!
Omg I’ve read through the comments, how thick are you lot! This isn’t about a virus you fools
I was wondering where all the idiot comments had got to – and here we are!
We are done for benjo! This is what we are up against! Sit back and watch the show!
It won’t last long, Ryde was packed with people last night (Thursday) for some reason. It was like party central. Also, people not bothering with masks lately in shops such as corner shops like Duffets and others. No power for staff to enforce this issue or even bring it up!!
As a cancer patient needing to travel to the mainland regularly, it is with considerable trepidation that I undertake this journey. The current situation does nothing to calm my fears.
Cancer treatment should be provided on the Island for residents.
The services provided by the NHS on the Island is very minimal.
THE COUNCIL TAX WE PAY IS NOT MINIMAL!
To me it is simple – we have human nature to content with. There will always be those who abide by the rules and those who don’t. Therefore bring in the French system where residents have to carry completed paperwork as to destination etc. We have number plate recognition so it isn’t rocket science to know where drivers have come from. Turn them around before getting on the ferry. paperwork in order – on you get.
Stop the Covidiots coming over to the Island.
Totally agree with checks at ferry’s the authorities seem to have no worries, what are the public health on the Island doing, nothing as usual.
Truly believe it’s a case of money making over us Islanders lives!
The economy can & will recover but the poor souls who have passed with this terrible Virus never will.
Think we have to look at hotel’s and all accommodation for accepting bookings from tier 2/3.
We can recover but as previously mentioned in a comment what about the families who lose a loved one how do they come to terms with the loss knowing it could have been prevented ???
And to all those who say what virus lots hope you don’t lose a loved one or dear friend !!!!
Unfortunately the UK is not a particularly law abiding country.
Most people’s attitude is “F*** you, you can’t tell me what to to do, I will do what I want to do, this is a free country”. To add to that we have a government which is pretty damn useless and couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewery.
Dont worry, we will soon be like china,then people like you will be happy, when all your decisions in life will be made for you. There sorted!
I very much doubt it – and you sound just like one of the twa*s who doesn’t give a sh*t.
I rest my case.
Ok let’s just see what 2021 has shall we? And I do care or I wouldn’t bother trying to get people to at least look at the facts! Ons figures, like average age of covid death is 82!!!
The Island would be an even safer place if they stopped sending maINLAND PAtients over to the Island for testing at the testing center and those motorists using the ferries were allowed to stay in their cars for the crossing. Tell you this much, I would rather drown than catch covid.
Heard today that Wightlinks Portsmouth to Island route are asking travellers where they are going and refused several to cross … anyone know whether this is true?
Would be a good idea
Noticed many vehicles with new London number plates on them going into food establishments along Shanklin Esplanade today.
Surely the establishments should be getting addresses and not serving people from Higher Tier areas!
The numbers will certainly be going up after December and the Island if not careful will be in an Higher Tier in
January 2021.