The Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams, is urging residents and businesses in the district to prepare for being placed into the highest level of government Covid-19 measures from midnight tonight.

The whole of Nottinghamshire will move up from Tier 2 (High Alert level) to Tier 3 (Very High Alert level) on Friday, 30th October at 00.01. The measures will be in place for at least 28 days.

Extending Tier 3 to the whole county, follows a significant increase in infections across Nottinghamshire, particularly in older people, and growing pressures on hospitals in the county, some of which have had to cancel operations and treatments to cope with the increase in coronavirus admissions.

In Nottinghamshire, infection rates are among the highest in the country and continue to rise rapidly. The weekly case rate stands at 364 people per 100,000 in Nottinghamshire County, and is 239 per 100,000 in those over-60, rising to 772 per 100,000 in those aged 17-21 years old.

Mayor Andy said: “We have the utmost sympathy for businesses and residents in the district at the prospect of these more severe restrictions and the extra losses of liberty to people’s everyday lives.

“But we have to face the harsh reality that infection rates in the district and across the county have accelerated, and in Mansfield there has been a significant rise in the number of cases among people over 60.

“As we all know, this age group is at more risk from the worst effects of COVID-19 and this is now translating into growing hospital admissions and patients needing ICU care and ventilator treatment.

“It is so important that we try to safeguard our most vulnerable residents and prevent too much pressure building up in NHS services.

“When this happens, it not only impacts on people with this virus who may need hospital care, it also means other patients cannot access the treatments they need, too.

“It is vital that everyone follows the new Tier 3 restrictions from Friday if we are to have a fighting chance to bring the numbers of infections down to a manageable level. If people break the rules, the virus could spread even more and the possibility of the county remaining in Tier 3 for longer than a month is a real possibility.”

The new restrictions will mean that people from different households will not be able to meet socially indoors anywhere, and can only meet outdoors in groups of six or less in public open spaces.

Cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs (whether or not they serve alcohol) must only open where they are serving a substantial meal, like a main breakfast or a lunchtime or evening meal. People will not be able to sit in a cafe or restaurant to drink coffee or eat a snack.

Premises not serving substantial meals must close, or operate on a takeaway or delivery service only basis.

In addition off-licence sales of alcohol in shops will have to cease at 9pm.

Some other businesses and venues, including nail and beauty salons and betting shops, will also have to close.

Financial assistance is available for businesses adversely affected by Tier 3 measures. Details of this help will be published on the Mansfield District Council website as soon as it is available.

People in Tier 3 areas are advised not to travel outside the area or stay overnight in other areas unless it is for work, caring, youth activities or education purposes. People outside Tier 3 areas are also advised not to travel into or stay overnight in Tier 3 areas, unless for the same reasons.

Some of the other Tier 3 restrictions in Nottinghamshire include:
•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
• 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. Personal care services should not take place in private settings.
•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.

Full details about the restrictions and exemptions for Tier 3/Very High Alert level can be found on the government website at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-very-high. Full details of the additional restrictions for Nottinghamshire can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-very-high-nottinghamshire.