Hampshire and Portsmouth visitors warned to ‘stay away’ from the Isle of Wight

During the prime minister’s Sunday address to the nation he announced greater freedom for leisure and outdoor activities from today, including being able to travel to take part in exercise, providing people stick to social distancing.

However, the leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Dave Stewart, has warned this change should not be seen as an invitation for people to flock to the Island or move to their second home.

Cllr Stewart said: ‘It remains the council’s priority to protect our island community in the best way that we can. To that end the message for those on the mainland who may be thinking of visiting us is to please stay away at this time – it is not yet safe for us or for you to come to the Island.

‘We will tell you when it is safe to do so’.

With a short Solent crossing by ferry and hovercraft, the island is popular with day-trippers from Portsmouth.

Will Myles, managing director at Visit Isle of Wight, added: ‘The time to visit our beautiful island will return and we will be here to welcome our visitors once again, unfortunately that time is not now. The Island will wait.’

The announcement comes as car parks in the New Forest and South Downs national parks are set to open from today. Social distancing measures still need to be maintained by anyone visiting the parks.

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