The whole of Nottinghamshire, comprising the 8 districts of Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Broxtowe, Gedling, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood, Nottingham and Rushcliffe, will move from local COVID alert level high to very high from 00.01 on 30 October. This means that new measures will come into place including:

• 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 6 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
• residents should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK, and others should avoid staying overnight in the very high alert area

In addition, following discussions with local leaders it was agreed that the following measures will also apply:

• all hospitality venues (cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs) can 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 off premises, 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 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. 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

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. In Nottingham City the current weekly case rate per 100,000 rises to 493 per 100,000, with 918 per 100,000 aged between 17-21. As of 20 October, there were 194 confirmed COVID-19 cases at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, with 11 mechanical ventilation beds occupied by confirmed COVID-19 patients.

The government says the move to the local COVID alert level: very high will be supported by funding that is proportionate to that received by other regions that have moved to local COVID alert level: very high. This will include additional funding from the Contain Outbreak Management Fund to support proactive containment and intervention measures, as well as business support funding.

The restrictions will be reviewed in 28 days to ensure they are only in place for as long as necessary.

Background information

Case rates per 100,000 people (data for specimens taken between 15 October 2020 and 21 October 2020):

• in Ashfield, weekly case rates stand at 295 people per 100,000, is 324 per 100,000 in those aged 17 to 21 and is 262 per 100,000 in the over-60s
• in Bassetlaw, weekly case rates stand at 272 people per 100,000, is 489 per 100,000 in those aged 17 to 21 and is 172 per 100,000 in the over-60s
• in Broxtowe, weekly case rates stand at 360 people per 100,000, is 612 per 100,000 in those aged 17 to 21 and is 230 per 100,000 in the over-60s
• in Gedling, weekly case rates stand at 410 people per 100,000, is 823 per 100,000 in those aged 17 to 21 and is 301 per 100,000 in the over-60s
• in Mansfield, weekly case rates stand at 282 people per 100,000, is 520 per 100,000 in those aged 17 to 21 and is 292 per 100,000 in the over-60s
• in Newark and Sherwood, weekly case rates stand at 192 people per 100,000, is 408 per 100,000 in those aged 17 to 21 and is 111 per 100,000 in the over-60s
• in Nottingham, weekly case rates stand at 494 people per 100,000, is 918 per 100,000 in those aged 17 to 21 and is 280 per 100,000 in the over-60s
• in Rushcliffe, weekly case rates stand at 380 people per 100,000, is 1112 per 100,000 in those aged 17 to 21 and is 261 per 100,000 in the over-60s

See data slides on the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in Nottinghamshire.

Guidance on the restrictions in Nottinghamshire has also been published.