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Isle Of Wight MP Warns Of Third National Lockdown "Early Next Year"

Bob Seely MP

The Island's MP says Islanders should expect to be placed into a full national lockdown again "early next year".

It comes as the Island has been placed in Tier 3 restrictions from Boxing Day, as first reported by Isle of Wight Radio.

Today (Wednesday) the Health Secretary said Sussex, Norfolk, Oxford, Cambridge, parts of Essex, Waverley and Hampshire will move into Tier 4 from midnight on Christmas Day.

But unlike Hampshire - the Isle of Wight will go into Tier 3.

Speaking exclusively to Isle of Wight Radio Bob Seely said he is surprised he "would have preferred to be placed in Tier 2".

Mr Seely said:

"Because of the rising cases here, it has been likely that we would go up a Tier when they decided to change those. The important thing for me was to get the Island in Tier 1 in the run up to Christmas, so we could have some sort of normal Christmas.

"I have yet to have a reasonable explanation as to why we are in Tier 3 from either the Government or Isle of Wight Council - so I look forward to an explanation from either of them...

"I would have preferred to have been put in Tier 2 so we could at least continue to go out to pubs and restaurants from Boxing Day - I haven't been given an explanation as to why - and I look forward to receiving one.

"Sadly - for better or worse - we may be looking at another national lockdown anyway early next year - so I think there is going to be continued pressure for a new lockdown anyway".

He says he will press the Government for a "clear recovery plan" for the coming months.

In response to Mr Seely's comments a spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Council said:

 "The Isle of Wight Council can confirm that it was not consulted on the change of the Island’s Covid alert status from Tier 1 to Tier 3.  This was a matter for government on advice from its scientific advisors. We were advised of the change immediately prior to the Secretary of State’s announcement this afternoon."

As cases stand on the Island today there have been an additional 22 positive tests registered - taking the total since the start of the pandemic to 1,175.

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