City faces 28 days of Tier 3 lockdown

GEDLING, BROXTOWE AND RUSHCLIFFE ARE ALSO AFFECTED

NOTTINGHAM and parts of the county will move into Tier Three Covid restrictions from one minute past midnight tomorrow, following crunch talks with the Government.

The third day of negotiations over the strictest restrictions took place yesterday between the Government and the leaders of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Gedling, Broxtowe and Rushcliffe.

Shortly after talks ended at 4.30pm, Broxtowe Borough Council’s leader Councillor Milan Radulovic confirmed there would be a 28-day Tier Three lockdown.

The 28-day restrictions will affect Nottingham city, Gedling, Rushcliffe, and Broxtowe.

Bars and pubs that do not serve substantial menus will close.

He added that a financial package had been agreed and more details would be revealed today.

He said: “I think it is the right decision and the right decision is to balance the need of the local economy for shops and businesses to function but drive down the number of infections among the 60-plus and protect the NHS being overwhelmed.”

Going into Tier Three means pubs and bars have to close unless they serve meals while households are banned from mixing indoors or in private gardens and beer gardens.

A spokesperson for Nottingham City Council said: “Nottingham, Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe Council areas are set to move to Tier Three Covid-19 restrictions following discussions between Government and council Leaders.

“The new measures will expire in 28 days and will be closely monitored by Government and local partners.

“A single package of measures across these specific areas have been agreed to achieve a sustained reduction in infection rates, especially to help protect our vulnerable residents, the NHS and social care services.

“A package of support similar to those secured in other parts of the country has been agreed to help residents and businesses who will be impacted by the new restrictions.

“Further measures specific to these areas of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will be announced on Tuesday.”

On Monday, Warrington also joined the Tier Three list as well as South Yorkshire at the weekend following Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester and Lancashire coming under the highest tier of controls.