Coronavirus: Isle of Wight MP Receives Clarification On Ferry Safety Measures

The Isle of Wight's MP, Bob Seely, has sought clarification from ferry companies on when all cross-Solent routes will reopen, along with what measures they will be putting into place to keep travellers safe.

From next week – to coincide with the next stage of restrictions being eased - passengers on the Island’s buses, trains, and ferries must wear a face covering on their journey to help reduce the risk of transmission of the Covid-19 virus.

Mr Seely asked the ferry companies a series of questions including whether they would be making masks available, what they would accept as a face covering and whether there would be any exceptions to the rules.

He said:
“I want to make sure that Islanders are aware of the new arrangements before they travel to avoid any confusion.

“The Government advice remains the same that we should avoid public transport where possible at this time. That means walking, cycling or driving if we can for the time being.

“The new rules are there to protect those of us who need to travel on public transport for work or other essential reasons.”

Will masks be available at ferry terminals?

Wightlink’s CEO, Keith Greenfield, said:
“Passengers are expected to bring their own face covering. Our takeaway Cafés at Gunwharf and Fishbourne will have some for sale subject to stocks being available but it is a passenger’s responsibility to ensure they have a face covering in order to travel.”

Neil Chapman, from Hovertravel said:
“We are intended to sell these [face coverings] in due course, but this will not be ready for Monday 15th June."
 
Fran Collins, Red Funnel’s CEO, said:

"All passengers will be required to show that they are in possession of a face covering prior to boarding.

"We also have stocks of face coverings available to buy, with all profits from the sales of face coverings being donated to our two Charities of the Year – Monkey Haven and Daisy Chains IW.”
 
What will be acceptable as a face covering? 
Hovertravel said in line with government guidelines a cloth face covering should cover your mouth and nose while allowing you to breathe comfortably. It can be as simple as a scarf or bandana that ties behind the head.
 
Wightlink said any fabric covering of the mouth and nose – including a scarf, or another other fabric garment - would be acceptable.
 
Red Funnel said that any covering of the face, such as a scarf or bandana, as well as pre-fabricated coverings, is acceptable and in line with government guidelines.
 
Are there any exceptions? 
The operators are required to follow the government guidelines which say face coverings are compulsory on public transport.

The exemptions include very young children, disabled people and those with breathing difficulties.
 
Can people remove the face covering to eat or drink?

Wightlink said there would be no food for sale on board. Customers buying take away food would be expected to consume it in their cars.

Hovertravel said they didn’t believe this would be an issue as it is only a 10-minute crossing and therefore it is rare that customers eat or drink onboard. 

Red Funnel said that passengers were not able to remove the face coverings in the passenger lounges but were able to do so on outside decks if they wished to consume food. However, as all retail outlets on board remain closed it was not expected to cause problems.

Will face coverings need to be worn in outdoor areas?
Wightlink said passengers would not be required to wear face coverings whilst outdoors on the terminal, but they would be required to wear them at all times whilst on board the ships unless they were inside a vehicle.

Hovertravel said they would be asking customers to wear face coverings at the terminals which included walking to and from the hovercraft (across the pad outside) and onboard the hovercraft.

Red Funnel said that the wearing of face masks in outdoor areas was down to individual passenger discretion but would be fully enforced in the internal communal areas on board as well as during embarkation and disembarkation for foot passengers.

Will there be temperature checks and hand sanitiser in public areas?
All three operators said they had no plans to introduce temperature checks. Wightlink and Red Funnel said they would have hand sanitisers in place, while Hovertravel said due to the length of the crossing, they would not be providing hand sanitisers, but stressed that the terminals have washing facilities at both Southsea & Ryde.

Businesses in Ryde and elsewhere feel that until passengers are able to travel on services that connect with rail, they will continue to be more badly affected than other parts of the UK. 

Wightlink said customers would be able to connect to rail services using Hovertravel and the Hoverbus which would be included in their ticket price.

Hovertravel said services are integrated into the ATOC (National Rail systems) and the hovercraft services offer a through ticketing for all connections to/from UK rail destinations to the Island.

The rail ticket holder is required to use the HoverBus – connecting the Hoverport to the national rail station of Portsmouth & Southsea – and Portsmouth Harbour within 5 minutes of landing in Southsea.

The connecting Hoverbus is including in the rail ticket price & journey planners issued by the rail companies.

When will the Red Jet and Fast Cat routes reopen?

Wightlink said they were unable to be specific until they could see the effect of the various government announcements on demand for travel and would reinstate the Fast Cats when demand was sufficient to cover the cost of the services.

Red Funnel said with regard to Red Jet services, they were optimistic that they would be able to consider the introduction of a restricted service in the near future but as yet, this was not supported by demand.

They said they were keen to get the service running as soon as possible.