Third national lockdown: Isle of Wight reacts

The new restrictions during a third national lockdown will include schools not opening until at least mid-February, and people needing to stay home other than for essential journeys, while non-key workers are asked to work from home where possible.

Read more: Island schools to shut as third national lockdown announced

Vix Lowthion, chair of the IW Green Party

The Isle of Wight Green Party's Vix Lowthion

"Devastating news for our country and our Island that we are now in another lockdown - with disruption likely for another two months.

"Yet again we must stay at home to protect our NHS workers, our supermarket workers and delivery staff. Yet again the Island will step up to the plate and put in place the community hubs on which so many depend.

"Thousands of people will die in the coming weeks due to the dithering and delaying by a government which has managed this pandemic absolutely appallingly.

"Internationally the UK is Plague Island — and this will be the legacy of Boris Johnson.

"As a teacher, I am absolutely gutted for the exam groups, the vulnerable students, the disadvantaged and those young people who rely on schools for social and mental health.

"There are so many 'what ifs' regarding the rotas that government banned and crucial laptops which never arrived.

"Boris Johnson has failed a generation."
 

Data/Graphics journalist, Ian Jones:

The latest Covid-19 case rates show just how the surge in infections has spread around England.

The local authority areas recording the biggest week-on-week increases are Carlisle; Rushmoor in Hampshire; the Isle of Wight; and Halton on Merseyside.

— Ian Jones (@ian_a_jones) January 4, 2021

Richard Quigley, chair, IW Labour:

Labour's Richard Quigley

"Despite the figures going in the wrong direction for far too long, despite the experts warning tougher measures would be needed and in spite of support from the general public, the government has yet again waited until no other option is left.

"This delay will have doubtless led to more deaths — they are out of their depth on test and trace and the vaccine won’t be rolled out quickly enough to make meaningful difference in the short term. 

Read more: Latest update takes monthly Island Covid cases beyond 1,000

"The test centre on the Island needs to be open seven days a week and the council needs a plan to support our teachers and school staff when schools next reopen.  

"We all need to stay at home and go back to looking out for those that need help."
 

Meanwhile, TT on Twitter has pointed out the IW's swift move from Tier One to Tier Five:

In 34 days the Isle of Wight have gone from:

02/12 Tier 1
26/12 Tier 3
31/12 Tier 4
05/01 Tier 5.

Surely this shows one thing, the tiered system is a complete waste of time.

— TT (@MillwallTT) January 4, 2021

Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary, Isle of Wight - National Education Union:

Peter Shreeve

"Lockdown three. Tier Five. Schools closed until February half-term and then we’ll reassess. At last, a decision from the Prime Minister, that makes sense.

"Knowing that SAGE told ministers on 22 December that even a lockdown of the same severity as last spring would not be enough to reduce the R rate below 1, why did the Prime Minister continue to declare that schools were safe?

"These are not the words of a leader who is ‘following the science.’

"Government needs to step up to the plate and support all aspects of education in this third lockdown."

Debbie Watt is unimpressed with the time it took for the latest restrictions:

It’s unforgivable. My cousin works with young adults 16-18 still in education with additional needs. As of upto 8pm this evening she was still expected to go to work tomorrow NO MASK & on the Isle of Wight.

— Debbie Watt (@DebbieWatt1) January 4, 2021