This tweet from the resident of a tiny French island has gone viral after newly-relaxed COVID-19 regulations allow people to walk within a 20-kilometre (12.4-mile) radius meaning she still cannot get to the mainland.

Netizen ‘La Petite Ilienne’, whose real first name is Tiphanny, posted the amusing tweet on 25th November.

The female resident lives on the French island of Ushant (Ouessant in French), just off the north-westernmost point of mainland France.

The rocky landmass measures some 8 kilometres (5.0 miles) by 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) and has a total area of just 15 square kilometres (5.8 square miles).

The island has a population of just 835 with most living in the village of Lambaol (Lampaul).

Relaxed regulations allowing French residents to go for a walk within a 20-kilometre (12.4-mile) radius came into force on 28th November.

The amusing image shows the 20km radius easily encircling the small island while falling just short of the mainland, resulting in no meaningful change for Tiphanny and her neighbours who will still not be able to travel to mainland France which lies some 22 kilometres (14.0 miles) away.

In fact, the only other place the islanders will be able to visit is the nearby island of Molene, which is even smaller than Ushant and has a population of just 141.

The viral tweet even attracted the attention of the French Ministry of Sports who replied: “You have to see the positive side, from tomorrow water sports are allowed again.”

Tiphanny told local media: “I wasn’t expecting that at all. The reactions really made me laugh. I was told ‘I hope you can swim well’.”

The Prefect of the department of Finistere, of which Ushant is part, is considering allowing the islanders to travel to the mainland, and discussions with elected island officials are underway.

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