Measures bid to ‘stop virus in its tracks’
HOW TIER 3 WILL AFFECT FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES
THE Government has announced the full list of new measures which will come into effect across Nottinghamshire under tier 3.
The Department of Health and Social Care announced the new rules for the county set to begin tomorrow at 00.01am.
Alcohol sales will be banned in shops after 9pm and tattoo parlours, tanning and nail salons, and piercing services must close.
Gyms and hairdressers will be able to stay open, as will cinemas, hotels and theatres.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the restrictions are aiming to “stop the virus in its tracks” and says the government has “not taken these decisions lightly”.
Here are all the new measures set to be imposed on businesses across the county:
■ 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 offpremises, 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 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.
Meanwhile, residents across Nottinghamshire will also be asked to follow these measures:
■ 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;
■ 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; and residents should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK, and others should avoid staying overnight in the Very High Alert area.
The leader of Ashfield District Council described the new guidance as “effectively Tier 3 plus”.
Jason Zadrozny said: “Health bosses were saying that the curve is so steep that Tier 3 measures might not be enough, so that is why they are implementing what is effectively Tier 3 plus with the extra closures in place.
“There are lots of businesses that are going to furlough staff in just a matter of hours and people have no way of planning because of the really poor communication.”