Following the introduction of the Omicron variant and the rise in positive Covid tests across the country, as of last month the law in England changed, now requiring people, unless exempt, to wear face coverings in shops and on public transport.
For some time there have been many reports on social media of ferries packed with many non-mask wearing passengers, including since the new laws came into force.
Plea to passengers and ferry companies
Two Isle of Wight councillors have now joined forces to make a plea to ferry passengers and the cross-Solent operators to consider the safety of other passengers who may be vulnerable and travelling to and from medical appointments on the ferry.
Cllr Richard Quigley (Labour councillor for Cowes North) told News OnTheWight,
“Both Ian and I have a ferry port in our wards and our constituents have an almost endless list of issues with the ferries.
“One issue that is consistent and comes up a lot is for those traveling for medical appointments or on their way to visit vulnerable relatives.
“Or in my case, the father of a child with a reduced immune system; is the issue of wearing masks.”
Dore: Troubled by lack of mask-wearing
Cllr Ian Dore (Independent Alliance Group councillor for Binstead and Fishbourne) recently counted six out of 44 passengers wearing face coverings. He told News OnTheWight,
“Over the last eight weeks, I’ve had to travel to the Mainland, on all ferry routes for various medical-based appointments. Some my own, some for family members.
“There are other people like me, going to medical appointments, who are clearly troubled with the lack of mask wearing. On a recent crossing from Portsmouth to Fishbourne, a head count on the upper lounge showed 44 people. Of which six had masks on.
“Hovertravel appear to be leading the pack on this and are exemplary. To the credit of the Captain on the Yarmouth to Lymington route, he reiterated the message constantly.”
Robust conversation with Captain to ‘ensure vulnerable daughter’s safety’
Cllr Dore went on to say,
“Sadly Red Funnel, soiled their maroon ‘loons with a much worse take up. With an almost full lounge and only seven wearing masks.
“This resulted in me having to have a ‘robust’ conversation with the Captain, trying to ensure my young and vulnerable daughter’s safety.”
Dore: Ferries weakest link in the fight to keep the Island safe
He added,
“Many local residents and Islanders that air their views on social media, feel that the ferries are our weakest link in the fight to keep the Island operating as normally as it can.
“Boxed in, for up to an hour with hardly anyone masked up, its a recipe for disaster. Add in the inevitable visitors from various parts of the Country, coming to reside on the Island for Christmas and you can see it has the potential for a very difficult few weeks. Not least for the NHS.”
Quigley: We owe it to those that need to get to the mainland for hospital appointments
The councillors report often receiving complaints about reliability of ferries.
Cllr Quigley added,
“There is still the requirement to isolate for ten days if you have Covid 19, this means that ferry staff that test positive will no longer be available for work.
“My inbox is full of complaints about ferry reliability, so if we can minimise further disruption by wearing a mask, then we owe it to those that need to get to the mainland for hospital appointments.”
Dore: Bring in Covid marshalls to take pressure off ferry staff
Cllr Dore suggests the ferry companies should employ external staff to act as Covid marshalls on the ferries, allowing staff the ability to continue doing their jobs and avoid abuse from passengers not wanting to comply.
Cllr Dore continued,
“Let’s not make it any harder for others that, by no fault of their own, have to sit on a ferry to receive the treatment that could save their life of the lives of family members.
“With the exception of those that are exempt, the ferry companies should consider investing in outsourced staff, helping to ensure masks are worn.
“This takes the pressure of the hard working crew who should not be exposed to such a tasks. We as passengers also have it in our gift to demonstrate compassion. It the most rudimentary human trait we have to offer and it costs nothing.”
Jarman: Staff stopped enforcing due to abuse from passengers
Cllr Chris Jarman ( Independent Alliance Group councillor for Totland and Colwell) shared an email he sent to Wightlink. In it he said,
“Thank you for your email today regarding covid safety on your vessels. The issue is that you have a legal responsibility to ensure those in your vessels wear masks. I understand this does not apply whilst eating or drinking.
“I travelled last weekend and sent clear details to my colleagues of the numbers wearing masks or not in the main inside section. Roughly 20 wearing and 60 not.
“I spoke to your staff asking why they were not enforcing mask wearing. Their reply was that they were not enforcing due to the customer abuse received and that they were not paid to fulfil that role/risk.
“A critical failure of your legal and social responsibility and exposing other passengers to higher and unnecessary health risks. Your responsibility is to ensure you deploy the appropriate enforcement resources.”
Travel ambassadors at holiday time
After the October half-term the Isle of Wight council announced they would be working with travel ambassadors to help people understand the message of travelling the right way and protecting the Isle of Wight.
They said the Travel ambassadors would be introduced on cross-Solent routes at holiday time to encourage people to behave and travel the right way, after ‘selfish’ people were not following the ‘hand, face, space’ precautions on board ferries to protect other people.
Article edit
11.15am 8th Dec 2021 – Comment from Cllr Jarman added.
12.02pm 8th Dec 2021 – Changed headline
Image: Ian Dore on deck on the Lymington to Yarmouth crossing prior to the change in rules
