Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to enter Tier 3 Covid-19 Restrictions
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will enter Tier 3 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.
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, entertainment and personal care businesses can all open
- 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 restrictions. The Government will review this every 14 days.
Director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire Jonathan Gribbin said:
“People across Nottinghamshire have achieved a reduction in rates over recent weeks and I welcome the move out of lockdown, and a set of arrangements from December 2 which are clear and consistent. We will support our communities and businesses to adapt to the new rules.
“The Government has also announced an easement of the rules for a few days covering the Christmas holiday period to enable family members or friends to meet up. As in the rest of the UK, people in Nottinghamshire are urged to exercise caution and to take care to work within the guidance about how to do this safely. In this way, we can maintain our momentum in lowering infection rates.
“The regulations are here to protect us all and are designed to keep the rates low; and the lower the cases get the more likely we are to move down through the tiers and start to feel like things can return to normal again.”
Councillor Jason Zadrozny, Leader of Ashfield District Council said:
“Of course, it’s extremely disappointing to go back into a stricter Tier 3 lockdown. This is devastating – especially for our hospitality sector. Many pubs and restaurants will be pubs and restaurants only in name. We are awaiting the detail on financial support for the hospitality sector. At no point have the Government sought the views of Council Leaders in Nottinghamshire. We were hopeful that due to rates dropping – our County would have been in tier 2 – so it’s disappointing news.
“I welcome the fact that our status as a ‘very high alert’ area will be reviewed every 2 weeks. Ashfield District Council will continue to provide all key services for residents including an enhanced bin collection service. We will continue to offer support and assistance for those who live on there own and the most vulnerable.”
The current legislation for the tiering approach is due to end in March 2021.
For further information about the guidance, visit:
www.ashfield.gov.uk/coronavirus
www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/coronavirus/covid-restrictions-for-nottinghamshire
