Newark and Sherwood is remaining under Tier 2 Covid-19 restrictions as neighbouring council areas of Nottingham, Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe move to Tier 3.
Mansfield, Ashfield and Bassetlaw will remain in Tier 2, alongside Newark and Sherwood.
However, Newark and Sherwood District Council is reminding all residents that the possibility of further discussions in other parts of Nottinghamshire will still happen if the Government and public health officials consider it to be in the best interests of the health of its communities.
The number of cases in Newark and Sherwood is still high and residents are being urged to continue to follow the Tier 2 restrictions and Covid-19 guidance. As of Monday, 26th October, over a seven day period, the number of cases in the district was around 175 per 100,000 people.
Coun David Lloyd, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “While it may be encouraging to hear that Newark and Sherwood has not moved into the highest level of Covid-19 restrictions yet, our numbers are still extremely worrying.
“To put them into context, when Newark was placed on the Government’s watch list in August 2020, we were reporting a figure of 20 cases per 100,000 over a seven day period and we can clearly see that we are far exceeding that figure now. We may not have rates as high as other districts in Nottinghamshire but, compared to elsewhere in the UK, these figures are of huge concern and the potential impact they have on our communities should not be overlooked.”
Under Tier 2 restrictions, residents across Newark and Sherwood should not mix indoors with anyone outside of their immediate household or support bubble (formed when a single adult household joins with another household and which, once established, should not be altered). This includes private homes and any other indoor venues such as pubs and restaurants.
The ‘rule of six’ will still apply to those outdoors. Businesses will remain under the same restrictions which are already in place, which includes the 10pm curfew for pubs, restaurants and bars.
Newark and Sherwood District Council has redeployed staff to help support its communities, by having feet on the ground in its town centres and villages to provide assurance to residents and shoppers and to work with local businesses to ensure they remain Covid-secure.
Coun Lloyd continued: “There is no room for complacency, we are talking about people’s lives. We understand that the economy has taken a massive hit over the last few months so while the health of our residents must always come first, it is important to remember that we must minimise travel where we can and shop locally to help support our economy as much as we possibly can in a safe and secure way.
“As well as continuing to follow the Tier 2 restrictions, please continue to wash your hands frequently, wear a face covering in indoor or crowded public spaces and maintain social distancing so we can continue to protect each other.
“We know people may be feeling tired of hearing this message but it is vital we all continue to play our part in saving lives, protecting the most vulnerable, reducing the pressure on the NHS and helping to keep our schools and businesses open where possible.”
Residents continue to be urged to self-isolate immediately if they develop symptoms of the virus, including a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss/change to the sense of smell or taste. A free test can be booked by calling 119 or visiting the NHS website.
For more information, watch the latest update from Coun David Lloyd, here.