Tier 3 measures ‘were not strong enough for Notts’
COUNCIL leaders have welcomed a national lockdown to curb coronavirus infection rates across Nottinghamshire, claiming Tier 3 did not go far enough.
Just a day after the county went into Tier 3 restrictions, the government announced the whole country would be under lockdown from Thursday until Wednesday, December 2.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said taking action now could allow families to meet at Christmas.
Councillor Milan Radulovic, leader of Broxtowe Borough Council, said Nottinghamshire was paying the price for the “reckless and irresponsible” behaviour of some people.
He was referring to the number of large student house parties, one attended by more than 100 people in Talbot Street, as well a group mixing and chanting in St James’ Street shortly before and after the 10pm pub curfew on Thursday, October 29.
He told the Post: “Further action was required and we have been asking for this for weeks.
“Now we are in a situation where we have to do something drastic to reduce the infection rate and to control the movement of people.
“Because of the reckless and irresponsible behaviour of some, we will have to pay for it.
“I did not think Tier 3 was strong enough.
“I believe that beauty and nail salons should have stayed open and I would have closed leisure centres, cinemas and theatres.
“We were asking for further measures to be taken in Nottinghamshire weeks ago and then Tier 3 was delayed and the consequences are it has had a devastating impact on the NHS.”
Councillor Kay Cutts, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council said: “I support this national lockdown. We appreciate Nottinghamshire was just coming to terms with Tier 3 restrictions, which still apply until Thursday.
“The measures we agreed took account of the information we had about the serious impact of Covid-19 on our communities and it was clear strong measures were needed as the government has now announced are necessary across the country.
“We will make sure our residents and businesses get access to all the support they need throughout the lockdown.
“The important thing now is that everyone plays their part by following the new guidance and rules in full to help us to get more control over the virus and give us all the chance of a potentially normal Christmas.
“We will also be working to make sure our extremely vulnerable people are supported and I pay tribute to all our care workers for everything they do.
“Please continue to check the Nottinghamshire County Council website for all the information you need.”
Councillor John Clarke, leader of Gedling Borough Council, said lockdown was “a worry for the wellbeing of people but also for the economy”, adding: “It will take such a hit before Christmas. I think you will see more businesses going to the wall unless there is significant help.
“I think until we get that vaccination we won’t make massive inroads here.”
He said the government’s financial package for Tier 3, which will be used to support businesses, had not yet been handed to the council.
Hospitals in Nottinghamshire have already put emergency plans into action as coronavirus admissions continue to soar at an unprecedented rate.
There were also 49 coronavirus deaths in just seven days leading up to October 28.
The government has said if no action is taken the virus will exceed the peak the country saw in the spring.
In winter, it could be worse than the first wave, No.10 has warned.
Prime Minister Boris said without action, deaths could run at several thousand a day and the NHS would have to choose between saving the lives of Covid and nonCovid patients.
The latest rolling seven-day rate of new cases of Covid-19 for every local authority area in England paints a picture of whether the virus is increasing or slowing down.
In Mansfield, there were 232 new cases in the seven days to October 19, but this has now rocketed to 412 new cases in the seven days to October 26.
The figures are based on tests carried out in laboratories and in the wider community.
Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Broxtowe, Newark and Sherwood, and Rushcliffe have also witnessed increases, but not at the same level as Mansfield.
Nottingham has seen a fall in the number of new coronavirus cases despite having the highest amount of new infections in the county.
In Nottingham, there were 1,886 new cases in the seven days to October 19, but this has now fallen to 1,463 new cases in the seven days to October 26.
I think until we get that vaccination we won’t make massive inroads here.
Councillor John Clarke