October 29, 2020 12.05 pm This story is over 40 months old

Travel not advised in or out of tier 3 lockdown areas

As another Lincolnshire neighbour prepares to enter tier 3 restrictions

Travelling in and out of Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire should be avoided, other than for work, education and caring responsibilities, as they’ll both be in tier 3 lockdown from this weekend.

Nottinghamshire’s eight districts, including Newark and Sherwood, will join South Yorkshire in the tightest coronavirus restrictions after talks between council bosses and the government. The county’s infection rates are among the highest in the country and continue to rise rapidly.

People have also been advised they must not socialise with anybody they do not live or have formed a support bubble with, as the weekly case rate stands at 364 people per 100,000 in Nottinghamshire county.

In Newark and Sherwood, the weekly case rates stand at 192 people per 100,000, according to data for specimens taken between October 15-21.

Meanwhile, Lincolnshire will stay in tier 1 for now after the Lincolnshire Outbreak Engagement Board (LOEB) met on Wednesday to discuss the next steps for the region.

The new measures coming into place in Nottinghamshire on Friday include the following:

  • People should try to avoid travelling outside the Very High alert level or entering a Very High alert level area, other than for work, education or for caring responsibilities or to travel through as part of a longer journey
  • People must not socialise with anybody they do not live or have formed a support bubble with, in any indoor setting or in any private garden or at most outdoor hospitality venues and ticketed events
  • People must not socialise in a group of more than six in an outdoor public space such as a park or beach, the countryside, a public garden or outdoor sports courts/facilities
  • All pubs and bars must close, unless they are serving substantial meals
  • Residents should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK, and others should avoid staying overnight in the Very High Alert area.

Councillor David Mellen, Nottingham City Council Leader, said: “Although we are reluctant to move our city into this into this higher level of restrictions the high and increasing number of people in our hospitals testing positive for the virus means that we need to go further to stem the infection rate.

“Tier three is the right alert level for our city; although our rates are coming down they are still very high. No one would wish for the restrictions that come with tier three but I am pleased that the, albeit late, decision was made to include the whole of the county.

“Collectively we can work together to stem the virus and protect our most vulnerable people. We will be closely monitoring the impact of these new restrictions, which will be in place for the next 28 days and will be kept under review.”

Following discussions with local leaders it was agreed that from 12.01am on October 30 these measures will also come into place:

  • All hospitality venues (cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs) can only remain open to offer substantial meals, or must move to operate a delivery and takeaway service only. Alcohol can only be served with a substantial meal
  • The use of shared smoking equipment (such as but not limited to shisha) in hospitality venues will be prohibited
  • Betting shops, car boot sales and auction houses (with the exception of livestock and agricultural equipment sales) must close
  • Alcohol sales must be prohibited after 9pm where alcohol is purchased to consume off premises, for example shops. Alcohol can continue to be purchased in hospitality venues where accompanying a substantial meal, up until 10pm
  • Indoor entertainment and tourism venues must close, except for ice skating rinks, cinemas, concert halls, and theatres. Hotels and other accommodation can stay open
  • Outdoor entertainment and tourism venues can remain open, with the exception of their indoor attractions (such as at animal attractions or landmarks)
  • Saunas and steam rooms must close
  • Leisure and sporting facilities (such as leisure centres, gyms, fitness and dance studios, swimming pools and sports courts) can remain open. It is strongly advised that indoor group exercise classes (including dance and fitness classes) should not take place
  • Personal care settings such as tattoo parlours, tanning and nail salons, and piercing services must close. Hairdressers and barber salons can remain open but cannot perform services that are otherwise closed. It is advised that personal care services do not take place in private homes
  • Public buildings such as town and parish halls, community centres and libraries can remain open to run activities such as childcare and support groups. Public buildings should not host events for private hire, such as birthday parties or other social activities

Lincolnshire is tier 1 – medium – lockdown.

The restrictions for tier 3 – very high – lockdown.