National lockdown continues: stay at home

The Isle of Wight remains in national lockdown. You must stay at home.

You can leave your home for a limited number of reasons only:

• To work (only if you absolutely cannot work from home).
• To shop for essential items.
• For medical appointments (including getting a COVID-19 test).
• For exercise with your household, support bubble or one other person (maintaining a social distance of at least two metres).

More COVID-19 testing slots available

A pop-up drive-through coronavirus mobile testing unit is now available on the Island for at least the next three weeks.

Given the increase in cases and demand for tests, additional testing capacity has been set up to ease the pressure on the current facility at Newclose County Cricket Club, Blackwater Road, Newport.

The mobile testing unit is at:

• 1Leisure Medina, Fairlee Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 2EW.

It is open seven days a week, including Sundays, from 9.30am until 3pm.

The COVID-19 testing centre at Newclose has also extended its opening hours to 9am until 4pm (Monday to Saturday) to carry out more tests as needed.

Book a COVID-19 test

• You can book a test online
• You can book a test via the NHS COVID-19 app on your mobile phone
• You can call 119 to book a test if you can’t get online.

Home testing kits can also be ordered online or via 119. These should be posted in priority post boxes: COVID-19 home test: step-by-step guide (adults and children) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Simon Bryant, the council’s director of public health, said: “It remains extremely important that we all stick to the guidelines and stay at home – only leave home to purchase essential items, get a COVID-19 test, for exercise or to work if you absolutely cannot work from home.

“If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, self-isolate and don’t leave home for any reason except to get a test at either Newclose or 1Leisure Medina.”

These changes to testing on the Island increase capacity from 400 to around 800 tests per day as required.

Detailed guidance on the national lockdown is available on the government website.

Latest coronavirus data for the Island

These are the latest published COVID-19 stats for the Isle of Wight, from Public Health England.

You can read the full COVID-19 data report on our website.

The graphic shows the COVID-19 statistics for the Isle of Wight, published by Public Health England on 11 January 2021 including data up to 10 January 2021.

The graphic shows:

• 4,318 – The number of confirmed cases to date of Island residents who have received a positive COVID-19 test result since March 2020. This is based on the residential address of the person tested rather than where they are registered with a GP.
• 1,602 – The number of positive cases in the seven-day period.
• 1,130 – Weekly cases per 100,000. This is the number of Island residents who have received a positive COVID-19 test result in the seven-day period, divided by the total population of the Island.

It is vital we all continue to follow the government guidelines during national restrictions: hands, face, space. 

• Wash your hands often and for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser regularly.
• Wear a face-covering where appropriate.
• Keep space from other people; two metres or at least one metre apart.

Grants available for local businesses

Island businesses eligible for government grant support under the latest national lockdown can now apply via the council’s website.

The application forms and details of the grant help can be accessed via: http://www.iow.gov.uk/covid19_businessadvice

Under the national lockdown there are rolling payments and top up grants for eligible ratepaying businesses in certain categories.

Some businesses may also qualify for grant support relating to the brief period around Christmas when the Island was under Tier 3 and then Tier 4 restrictions.

There is also support for ‘wet’ led pubs for late December.

In addition, the council is offering government-funded discretionary grant help to businesses which may fall outside these schemes, and has created a Winter Business Support Grant scheme.

Got symptoms? Self-isolate and get a test

COVID-19 symptoms

If you have any of these symptoms, please self-isolate and book a free test straight away:

• A high temperature.
• A new, continuous cough.
• A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

Book a COVID-19 test

• You can book a test online
• You can book a test via the NHS COVID-19 app on your mobile phone
• You can call 119 to book a test if you can’t get online.

Please do not travel on public transport or travel to the mainland to get a test.

You can book a postal test if you need to.

The Isle of Wight COVID-19 testing centre is at:

• Newclose Cricket Ground, Blackwater Road, Newport PO30 3BE

The testing centre is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 2.30pm. It is closed on Sunday.

The mobile testing unit is at:

• 1Leisure Medina, Fairlee Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 2EW.

The mobile testing unit will be available for at least three weeks (from Friday 8 January). It is open seven days a week (including Sundays) from 9.30am until 3pm.

When must I self-isolate?

You must stay at home and not leave your home for anything other than to get a test for ten days if:

• you have symptoms of COVID-19;
• you have had a test and are awaiting your COVID-19 test results;
• you have been told by NHS Test and Trace that you’ve been in contact with a person with COVID-19;
• someone you live with or someone in your support bubble has tested positive for COVID-19;
• you are returning from a country that is not on the government’s travel corridor list.

COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)