Nottingham will enter Tier 3 Very High Alert for Covid-19 restrictions from Wednesday 2 December.
The move is part of the Government’s Winter Plan to reduce the spread of the virus following the end of the four-week national lockdown.
Nottingham City Council Leader Cllr David Mellen said: “It’s a bitter blow for people in Nottingham who have done the right thing, followed the rules and done an incredible job of driving down the rate of Covid infections from the highest in the country to below the national average.
“We had hoped that this would have meant we would be spared going into Tier 3 and the extra restrictions that come with that being imposed on local people and struggling local businesses. We will need Government to provide further support for businesses, especially hospitality where they will be particularly badly hit, to see them through this as the amounts offered so far won’t be enough.
“However, we must of course accept that these are the new rules we must abide by and given the valiant efforts locally in the past few weeks, I have no doubt that we will continue to drive down infection rates and be able to leave Tier 3 and enter Tier 2 very soon. The tiers are being reviewed every 14 days so the hope must be that we could be into Tier 2 before Christmas.”
Tier 3 means:
- No mixing of households indoors or outdoors apart from support bubbles. Maximum of six in some outdoor public places, for example parks and public gardens
- Hospitality will close except for sales by takeaway, drive-through or delivery
- Retail and personal care businesses can all open
- Indoor entertainment must close
- Places of worship are open but cannot interact with anyone outside household or support bubble
- Avoid travelling out of the area, other than where necessary for work, education, youth services, medical attention or because of caring responsibilities
- No overnight stays outside of local area, unless necessary for work, education or similar reasons
- 15 guests for weddings, civil partnerships and wakes; 30 for funerals. Wedding receptions not permitted
- Exercise classes and organised adult sport can take place outdoors, but should avoid contact. Organised activities for elite athletes, under-18s and disabled people can continue.
The new Tiers have been strengthened to reduce the infection rate as part of a strategy to save lives, protect health and care services, and keep our economy and schools open.
As well as the new Tiers, the Government has also announced specific ‘Christmas bubbles’ that will allow people from three households to mix in homes between 23-27 December, to enable them to celebrate Christmas together.
Nottinghamshire councils have pledged to work together to help communities to adapt to the new Tier 3 restrictions, which also cover Nottinghamshire. The Government will review this every 14 days.
Alison Challenger, Director of Public Health in Nottingham, said:
“It is important that we all follow the new rules and work together to slow the spread of the virus in our communities. People in Nottingham have worked hard to reduce rates of Covid-19 and we have seen cases in the city fall below the national average.
“There is good news about the rollout of vaccines but it’s going to be a while before whole populations are protected from the virus. In the meantime, our local health and care services continue to experience severe pressures.
“I would urge people to continue to follow the best practice around ‘Hands, Face, Space’ and reduce contact with people from other households as much as possible. In particular, anyone who has symptoms of Covid-19 – such as a fever, continuous cough or loss of taste or smell – should isolate immediately and book a test by calling 119.”
The current legislation for the tiering approach is due to end in March 2021.
For further information about the guidance, visit your local authority websites and social media channels.
- Nottingham City Council at www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19