A message from County Councillor Tracey Taylor:
You will have seen today’s news announcements that the expected move to Tier 3 COVID restrictions later this week will now be for the whole of Nottinghamshire, so does now include Bassetlaw. The ‘Very High’ alert measures come into force at one minute past midnight on Friday 30 October 2020 (that is Thursday night into Friday morning).
The Tier 3 restrictions mean:
- People must not meet socially with friends and family indoors in any setting unless they are part of their household or support bubble. This includes private homes and indoors in hospitality venues, such as pubs.
- People must not meet with people outside of their household or support bubble in a private garden or in most outdoor public venues.
- People can continue to see friends and family in groups of six or less that they don’t live with (or have formed a support bubble with) in certain outdoor public spaces, such as a park or public garden.
- All pubs and bars must close unless they are serving substantial meals, such as a main lunchtime or evening meal. They can only serve alcohol as part of a meal. Pubs, bars and restaurants must still close between 10pm and 5am.
- Wedding receptions will not be permitted, but people can get married with a maximum of 15 people at the ceremony (check with the venue for additional restrictions).
- Avoid travelling outside the Very High alert area 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.
- Avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK.
As well as the main Tier 3 restrictions, Council Leaders have agreed the following additional local restrictions:
- All hospitality venues (cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs) can only 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 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.
Government and local partners will closely monitor the impact of these new restrictions, which will be in place for 28 days from Friday 30th October and will be kept under review. Please continue to refer to the Government, Council and NHS websites for information.