Originally Posted by
Jenny Tails
The UK is currently open to the IOM. It is the IOM which is closed to the UK.
The Island economy seems to be thriving with many pubs and restaurants able to operate to full capacity thanks to no social distancing.
It really seems that only travel and hotels are adversely affected. Which when compared to the rest of the British Isles isn't much different
Being able to operate at full capacity and actually filling that capacity are two different things. There are a lot of establishments on the island that are reliant on the tourist trade to boost takings above what they generate from locals, some more than others. A lot of establishments would have taken a hit this year thanks to their spring lockdown and, more crucially, no TT trade.
Another industry not considered here is the events industry. Lots of weddings have been cancelled this year due to the lockdown and then those that would have had people travelling to the island being unable to do so. If this carries on into next year, expect more weddings to be postponed or cancelled.
Let's not underestimate the hit this virus and the closed borders are having on the economy there. I do think Jersey are showing how it can be done if the will is there.