STAY alert and stay safe when enjoying the bank holiday sunshine at the seaside and beauty spots.

That is the message from the Isle of Wight Council this week.

And the council said, despite the easing of lockdown restrictions, the clear advice was still that holidaymakers and second home owners should stay away.

The leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Cllr Dave Stewart, urged Islanders to maintain the two-metre social distancing rule when outside over the bank holiday weekend.

"The move to a new phase in the national response to coronavirus is best summed up in the new message from the prime minister to “Stay Alert: Control the Virus and Save Lives," said Cllr Stewart.

"It remains the council's priority to protect our Island community in the best way that we can.

"To that end we want people living on the Island to be safe and alert when visiting popular locations like beaches and esplanades — observe social distancing and try to not to visit at busy times.

“And the message for those on the mainland who may be thinking of visiting us is: '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'."