The government has announced the cancellation of the 2021 TT.
We asked people on the street for their reactions to the news.
Eddie Rothwell, 66, of Peel, says that as a scrutineer for the TT, ’it is a bit of a disappointment.’
He added: ’But what choice have you got really, unless this vaccine gets to work faster than everybody thinks - then you can’t get people over.
’On a positive note there’s always the chance that the Southern 100 and the Manx Grand Prix might go ahead, as well as the Classic TT - we can just keep our fingers crossed.’
Annette Berriman, 59, Port Erin, said she is ’kind of relieved, but I feel sorry for the small businesses in the island - but I think it has to be done for the safety of all the people here.
’But it is a terrible loss financially.’
Kathleen Corkish, 62, also of Port Erin, added: ’But we’re very lucky over here, at least we’re continuing on while others across are not.
’People come from all over the world [for the TT], so we have to think of our safety and their safety as well.’
Eddie Ford, 60s, of Port St Mary, said that he was sad about the cancellation, because ’thousands of people look forward to it.’
He continued: ’It’s the best thing they could do, really.
’We do not want people from the UK coming over here and bringing that virus with them, and we have to stop that. And TT, you have people coming from all over the world.
’We just don’t need that. ’It’s either have the TT, or have the island’s population wiped out.
’But the Chief Minister did a fantastic job closing the borders to stop people coming in, it was the best thing he did - and he really looked after the people of the island.’
Ian Young, 62, of Peel, said he was ’sad, however the right decision has been made.’
Asked about how the races would cope with a gap of three years, he said he heard that: ’During the Second World War (when it was cancelled), afterwards it came back bigger than ever.’
Speaking about the financial loss to the hospitality and tourism sectors, he added: ’It is a great pity, absolutely.
’However, I think you have to say health comes first, doesn’t it?’
His wife Jane Young, 62, of Peel, said ’I think they made the right decision, because even if they start the vaccine in December, they reckon it could take until 2022 to get around to everybody.’