Island ban will split dad and daughter ‘for months’
AROCHDALE man has told of how he won’t be able to see his young daughter for “months”, after the Isle of Man closed their borders.
Paul Ellison, 37, of Edenfield Road Norden, travels to the Isle of Man every two weeks to spend a few days with his eight-year-old daughter, Bonnie Ellison.
The eight-year-old moved to the island last April with her mum Yvonne Shaw, and since then, every two weeks, Paul travels to Liverpool John Lennon Airport to fly to the island, which takes just 20 minutes.
The journey has since been made more difficult following the collapse of airline operator, Flybe, which ran a lot of flights to the island.
The Isle of Man closed its border to all non-residents from 9am, Monday, March 23, with checks being made at sea ports and airports, in an aim to halt the spread of the coronavirus to the island, which sits between England and Ireland with a population of just over 84,000.
Speaking to the Observer, landscape gardener Paul said: “The penny dropped for me yesterday (March 22) when the Isle of Man went into lockdown.
“Everyone is still going around doing their daily routines, thinking it will be okay.
“But it’s going to affect everyone in a different way.
“I see Bonnie every fortnight and it’s not that bad travelling there.
“I take an early flight from Liverpool and it’s only 20 minutes.
“With what happened with Flybe, I said I would come for the whole of Easter but now that’s not happening.
“I probably won’t be able to see her for a couple of months.
“With what’s going on everyone is in challenging situations.
“Even if Bonnie lived in London I would still go and pick her up.
“When I go over we go to lots of parks and nature reserves.
“It’s a fantastic place for children, so much wildlife.
“When I go it’s tiring but it’s quality time I have with my daughter.”
Posting a picture of him and Bonnie on Facebook, Paul wrote; “On a personal note.
“I’m absolutely gutted, the borders of the Isle of Man are now officially shut from today.
“Due to the outbreak, I haven’t been able to see my daughter Bonnie for a while now and most probably not for many months going forward.
“This is affecting everyone in so many different ways!
“One day, I will be able to see, hug and kiss my baby girl Bonnie once again.”
“I’m absolutely gutted the borders are shut... it’s quality time I have with my daughter”