More than 1,300 people have already signed a petition calling for the Department of Health to prevent people travelling across The Solent for Covid-19 tests.

The government's coronavirus test allocation website has been handing out appointments without recognising the stretch of water between the Island and the Hampshire coast.

Potentially infected people have been travelling by ferry to and from the Island.

For some, it has meant long and expensive day trips, including a woman who travelled around 90 miles from Lewes in Sussex.

Read more: Lewes, Sussex to Isle of Wight: 90 miles for Covid-19 test

Both Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely and the Isle of Wight Director of Public Health Simon Bryant have said discussions are underway.

They told the County Press the problem is a national one.

Read more: Covid-19 test location problem? They're (still) working on it!

The ferry firms say they need to be made aware 48 hours in advance to arrange a stay-in-car crossing and have warned that it is not possible on every sailing.

This week, the Isle of Wight Council urged us not to travel on ferries with symptoms of the virus. It is asking Islanders to request a home test if they are unable to get an appointment at Newclose Cricket Ground.

Petition organiser Mark Jeffries wrote: "This has the potential for the virus to be spread to other passengers and should be stopped.

"People should have a right to stay in their own vehicle if they are at risk of spreading the virus. It is not always possible for people to give 48 hrs notice.

"The government's advice is, "before boarding a ship all passengers and crew should be asked if they have symptoms of coronavirus and should be refused travel".

"This is not happening and needs to be implemented."

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus on the Isle of Wight since the pandemic started currently stands at 476, including a case from October 3.

Confirmed infections are linked to an individual's home postcode and we are expecting an update later today (Tuesday).

Read more: New Covid-19 cases confirmed on Isle of Wight