County in toughest Tier 3 in England

But council leaders fear it might not halt pandemic

Tier 3 restrictions now in place across Nottinghamshire are the most severe in england.

As well as the standard closure of hospitality venues which don’t serve a substantial meal – which is the case in all Tier Three areas – there will also be closures of businesses which have been allowed to remain open elsewhere.

Unlike Liverpool, Manchester, and South Yorkshire, beauty salons and tattoo parlours will have to close.

restrictions on cafes will mean they are no longer allowed to offer teas and coffees, unless people are eating a main meal.

Shops will also be prohibited from selling alcohol after 9pm – a measure which has also not been seen elsewhere.

Asked why the restrictions were more severe in Nottinghamshire than anywhere else currently in Tier Three, the leader of Nottingham City Council David Mellen said: “We heavily relied on the advice from our directors of public health in the county and in the city.

“Yes, I’m sure nail bars and other similar businesses are not happy, but we will obviously try to make sure the compensation package will take that into account.

“There was a strong push from the directors of public health that we needed to have measures which were going to enable us to reduce the spread of the virus.”

Councillor Jason Zadrozny, leader of Ashfield District Council, was opposed to the closure of beauty salons and tattoo parlours and the new restrictions on alcohol sales.

He said: “What about a doctor, who’s been working 60 hours a week and wants a glass of wine on a Friday night – and deserves it? They’re 10 minutes late into Aldi and that’s it, he’s done.

“It seems so arbitrary to me.” Asked why he thought the measures were harsher than elsewhere, he said: “It’s entirely down to Jonathan Gribbin and Alison Challenger (Tdirectors of public health for Nottinghamshire and Nottingham, respectively).

“They made the decision on the basis they felt the basic Tier Thrtee restrictions weren’t enough for Nottinghamshire.

“Their argument is that all the concern is for the over-60s category, which I totally buy.

“But then the sectors we’ve closed are not the sectors used by the over-60s. What gran do you know that’s getting a tan and then a tattoo, or getting drunk of a Friday night?”

But other council leaders fear the Tier Three restrictions are not strict enough.

Councillor Milan radulovic, leader of Broxtowe Borough Council, told the Post that during a meeting with Government ministers over restrictions he pushed for an earlier ban – to stop shops selling alcohol after 8pm.

He also said beauty salons should have been allowed to remain open while cinemas and theatres should shut.

“I can’t look a salon owner in the eye and tell them why they are having to shut and a cinema or theatre cann’t,” he said.

“They have been operating safely over the last few months.

“There is massive concern about the impact on the NHS. The rise in infections has impacted the over-60s who are more likely to have to go to hospital.

“The package of measures may seem strong, but I don’t think they are strong enough.”

Gedling Borough Council leader John Clarke said he hoped the measures meant the county would see a fall in the rate in 28

days.

“It’s not easy for people. It is all a balancing act. Some want to shut down the country for a year,” he said.

“One of the sticking points was what classes as a substantial meal. The Minister couldn’t answer me. It was eventually said something that requires a plate and a knife and fork.

“There was a suggestion that cinemas and theatres be chopped, but me and David Mellen (Nottingham City Council leader) fought so they didn’t. They have been working well and operate on very limited seats currently.”

Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council Cllr Simon Robinson said: “We know we are asking residents and businesses to make ever more sacrifices with these new restrictions, but they are necessary to ensure we can restrict transmission of COVID19 and protect lives.

“Please play your part to stop the spread of the virus. We will outline the support package to businesses as soon as possible.”

For more details on how Nottinghamshire’s Tier 3 differs from other areas visit Nottinghamshirelive