On Monday afternoon the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced an end to Covid restrictions in England and a move from 1st April to end free mass testing.
From this Thursday if you test positive for Covid ‘by law’ you will no longer have to self isolate. From 1st April if you test positive for Covid, you’ll not longer ‘be advised’ to self isolate either.
News OnTheWight got in touch with Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Bob Seely, and political leaders on the Island to find out whether they would continue to test or self isolate for Covid-19 once the restrictions come to an end.
Seely: Yes
Bob Seely told News OnTheWight,
“If I have symptoms I’ll test myself and if I test positive I’ll isolate. I think that is considerate to others.”
Love: Yes
Cllr Karl Love, the Isle of Wight Council Cabinet member for Public Health told News OnTheWight,
“I am still testing, but I tend not to register the results any more. I will continue to test as I have meetings and other places of care to visit. I’m on the vulnerable lists. I think they are just lifting the rules a tad soon. If I should be positive I will isolate. I could not live with myself if I knew I was positive and gave it to someone who became very ill.
“The numbers of those being infected on our Island are declining, but we still have a high rate across a spectrums of ages. We will, as instructed by Government, implement the changes and our services will be stepped down and mothballed, but available to be responsive if they need reactivation.”
Quigley: Yes
Cllr Richard Quigley, Chair of Island Labour, told News OnTheWight,
“I will be testing and isolating as it’s not fair to spread the illness to people that will no longer get sick pay from day one, or are clinically vulnerable.
“This started as a collective battle against an unknown virus and despite the Tory party trying to turn it into a battle of individuals rights, it needs to stay as a collective fight.
“Through charging for Covid tests and ending the entitlement to sick pay from day one (only pays from day four) this government are further adding to the cost of living crisis.”
Lowthion: Yes
Vix Lowthion, Chair of Isle of Wight Green Party, told News OnTheWight,
“Yes I will voluntarily test myself whilst the tests are available until April 1st. After that I have no idea. Same for self isolation. This is not just a matter of personal choice or responsibility, but for those of us like myself who are an employee we will have to do what our employer tells us we must do.
“The government have washed their hands of taking any responsibility for public health on this matter now and this is leaving us in a much more fragile situation than we have been in during the last 2 years. I’m really worried.”
Stuart: Yes
Nick Stuart, spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats, told News OnTheWight,
“Personally yes, I will continue to test and yes, I would isolate, and I still use a mask where possible.
“I see a Govt ignoring the science to keep Johnson in power. Appeasing strange Conservative MPs who ignore evidence to call for freedom while threatening vulnerable people. All while trying to claw back a bit of money from the hideously expensive Test and Trace fiasco.
“Locally our MP seems to think the pandemic virus is not serious, based on the far reaches of fake science, as opposed to virtually everyone else with any expertise. Or perhaps it’s loyalty to the ego currently in No 10.”
Robertson: Yes
Leader of the Isle of Wight Conservative group of councillors, Joe Robertson, told News OnTheWight,
“I will voluntarily test myself if I am asked to do so, or if the circumstances make it obviously sensible.
“I will self-isolate if I test positive.”
Covid infection figures from Office for National Statistics last week estimated one in 20 people in England had Covid.
Image: Annie Spratt under CC BY 2.0
