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Life hasn't changed much during the pandemic on the Isle of Wight, and those living here say they are "proud" of the community's response.

"The Island" - as the locals call it - is just one of three areas in the country to be placed in Tier 1, on "medium alert" with the lowest set of restrictions imposed.

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I'm on the Isle of Wight, looking straight across the water to the Portsmouth city AG百家乐在线官网line.

There's just six miles between my village of Seaview and the mainland - we even share a postcode - but in COVID terms, we are now in different worlds.

Hampshire, which includes our three ports of entry, is in Tier 2 - with its recent hotspots around Portsmouth, Southampton and Havant still giving cause for concern.

It means, unlike on the mainland, next week we'll be able to meet up to six people inside as well as out, there'll be no restrictions on travel or overnight stays and - crucially - our village pub can re-open with last orders at 10pm.

At my local coffee shop Lily's, owner Charlotte Madden is delighted: "Really happy that we can have a bit of normality back, especially for the trade that we are in, in hospitality.

"I think we've got a lot to be proud of, as it was expected to get bad over the summer, with people visiting from all across the UK, but we still did really well."

As Islanders, we were even thanked in parliament by the health secretary Matt Hancock for "being so vigilant during the pandemic".

A naturally cautious and respective bunch, Island residents are, on average, older than the rest of the country - although that is noticeably changing, as a younger generation, now working from home, are drawn to our outdoor and slightly escapist lifestyle.

The truth is, life in lockdown doesn't feel that different on the Isle of Wight.

I can still head to the beach with my little boy; cheerily pass the time of day with my neighbours while walking the dog; and catch up on the gossip in my local community shop.

Will Caws has run his general building firm here for more than 50 years.

I asked him what life has been like during the pandemic.

"It's a bit quieter, otherwise I quite like it! We've done well because we're isolated, we're an island. We're tougher on the Island, we're not scared of the virus."

As Islanders, we've always known that stretch of water makes us a little bit special - now it's official.