Nottingham today (2 December) enters Tier 3 Very High Alert for Covid-19 restrictions.
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.
Being in Tier 3 means:
- People must not meet socially with friends and family indoors in any setting unless they are part of their household or support bubble.
- People must not meet with people outside their household or support bubble in a private garden or in most outdoor public venues.
- People can continue to see friends and family in groups of six or less that they don’t live with in certain outdoor public spaces, such as a park or public garden.
- Hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha bars), pubs, cafés, restaurants, and social clubs must close except for takeaway, delivery and click and collect services.
- Non-essential retail shops can reopen.
- Outdoor tourism and entertainment venues can remain open subject to rules and guidelines.
- Personal care and close contact services such as hairdressers and barbers, beauty salons, tattoo parlours, nail salons, spas and beauty services, saunas, steam rooms, massage parlours and tanning salons can reopen.
Nottingham City Council Leader Cllr David Mellen said: “While we welcome the news that many of our shops will be able to reopen, Tier 3 will see many of the most stringent measures continue in the city – especially in our hospitality sector. Being in Tier 3 will not be easy for any of us, but we have to remember that the stronger measures that were introduced in October and November helped to bring down the number of Covid-19 cases significantly.
“Our ambition remains that we should all work together as a city to stick to the rules and ensure that cases of Covid-19 continue to fall. If the infection rate continues to fall it gives us a chance of possibly moving into Tier 2 before Christmas.
“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.”
Nottingham City Council services in Tier 3
- Nottingham Theatre Royal and Royal Centre Hall will be closed
- Leisure Centres and Tennis Centres can open but indoor fitness classes are not allowed
- Tourist Information Centre can reopen six days a week
- Shop mobility will be open three days a week
- Markets can reopen
- Smaller libraries will close. Others will be open for booked computer use and “click and collect” borrowing service only. No browsing or public hire of rooms
- Museum and Gallery buildings will be closed, but the grounds can open, with cafés for takeaway only. Outdoor non-essential retail permitted
- Some community Centres will open in a Covid-secure manner
- Day Centres will provide respite case for citizens with complex needs
- More information is available online about Wollaton Hall and Newstead Abbey.
People who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable in Tier 3
The Government has updated its guidance for people who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable. This includes:
- Stay at home as much as possible.
- Use supermarket deliveries, ‘click and collect’ or ask others to collect your food or medicine for you. Please see useful supermarket delivery information here: https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-accessing-food-and-essential-supplies/
- You can still go outside to exercise with your household or support bubble or to meet up to 6 other people socially distanced.
- Work from home where possible, but keep the number of social interactions to a minimum and try to reduce the amount of time spent in settings where you are unable to maintain social distancing.
- Any carers or visitors who support with everyday needs should continue to come round.
If anyone needs help with any of the above, they can call the City Council on 0115 915 5555.
Transport and travel in Tier 3
People can travel to places that are open, but should reduce the number of journeys they make, and walk or cycle if possible.
People who need to use public transport should:
- Wear a face covering during your journey (unless exempt)
- Leave space between yourselves and others at bus/tram stops and on board
- Use contactless options to pay for your ticket – available on trentbarton and NCT, and on the tram using the NETGO! App, or through the Robin Hood Card, which offers best value when using multiple operators
- Avoid busy times and routes – East Midlands Railway and NCT have apps available that show busiest routes
- Don’t travel if you have any symptoms of coronavirus
- Operators continue to carry out additional cleaning of buses and trams
Shopping and businesses
The reopening of non-essential retail in the lead up to Christmas and ahead of Small Business Saturday and Black Pound Day means shops in the city centre and on local high streets can reopen for Christmas shopping, with customers advised to follow all protective health measures while out shopping.
You can find advice for shopping safely here: https://www.mynottinghamnews.co.uk/christmas/shop-safely/
Nottingham City Council is continuing to support closed businesses through Covid Business Grants made available to them from central government and working with partner organisations to highlight how local businesses forced to close are continuing to provide services to local people under these restrictions.
Christmas
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 in a safe way.
For further information about the guidance, visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19
The current legislation for the tiering approach is due to end in March 2021.
Full details of the Tier 3 restrictions can be found on the Government website at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-3-very-high-alert
More information for people who are Extremely Clinically Vulnerable can be found here: https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/guidance-for-people-who-are-clinically-extremely-vulnerable/
For more information about Libraries, click here: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/libraries/coronavirus