Following close discussions with local leaders, 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 from 30 October at 00.01 the following measures will also come into place:

• 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

Weekly case rates

The rate of COVID-19 infections is rising rapidly across the UK. The weekly case rate in England stood at 201 people per 100,000 from 15 October to 21 October, up from 100 people per 100,000 for the week 25 September to 1 October. Cases are not evenly spread, with infection rates rising more rapidly in some areas than others.

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.

To support the local community during this period, it has also been agreed in principle with local leaders that 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.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:

We have seen infection rates rising sharply across Nottinghamshire, and in close collaboration with local leaders we have agreed on a package of local measures to stop this virus in its tracks. I understand how difficult life is under these restrictions and the impact they have on families and businesses, but we never take these decisions lightly.

I want to thank local leaders for their continued support, and to extend my gratitude to the people of Nottinghamshire who have shown real resilience, consistently working together to follow the rules and help bring down rates of infection.

Everyone has a part to play in controlling the virus – remember Hands, Face, Space – self-isolate and get tested if you have symptoms and follow the rules where you live.

Minister of State Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP said:

I would like to thank the local leaders in Nottinghamshire for entering into productive discussions and coming to an agreement as quickly as possible.

We are very conscious that these new restrictions will have a huge impact on those living and working in the county, but this action is vital and is based on public health advice. In order to support local people, businesses and the councils, we worked together to agree an extensive package of support.

These restrictions will be reviewed in 28 days to ensure they are only in place for as long as necessary. We are working closely with leaders across Nottinghamshire to support local people and businesses through the ongoing challenges this pandemic brings.

All available data for the areas that will move to local COVID alert level: very high have been assessed by the government, including the Health and Social Care Secretary, NHS Test and Trace, the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC), Public Health England (PHE), the Chief Medical Officer and the Cabinet Office. Data assessed includes incidence, test positivity and the growth rate of the virus.

It is essential that these outbreaks are contained to protect lives and our NHS, and prevent greater economic damage in the future. We face a new challenge as we head into the winter, and we know that even mild cases of COVID-19 can have devastating consequences for people in all age groups, along with the risk of long COVID.

Our strategy is to suppress the virus while supporting the economy, education and the NHS, until an effective vaccine is widely available. Local action is at the centre of our response, and engagement with local authorities is, and will continue to be, a key part of this process.

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

On 12 October, the government introduced a new, simplified framework for local interventions based around three new local COVID alert levels.

The postcode checker shows which alert level applies in each area.

The NHS COVID-19 app will also direct people to this information.

We have provided £3.7 billion of funding to local authorities in England to respond to pressures in all their services.

The Prime Minister also announced on Monday 12 October additional COVID funding of around £1 billion, which will provide local authorities with additional money to protect vital services. The government will set out further information in due course on how this new funding will be allocated.

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

See guidance on each local COVID alert level.

As part of the UK-Ghana partnership, the British High Commission is pleased to announce the signing of a contract between the Government of Ghana’s Ministry of Roads and Highways and Mabey Bridge, which will facilitate the delivery of 89 modular, steel, emergency-response bridges rapidly deployed across Ghana to restore critical infrastructure.

Iain Walker British High Commissioner to Ghana said:

89 bridges deployed across the country shows the strength of the UK-Ghana partnership; a long-term partnership working for the long-term benefit of Ghana.

Developed at the third UK-Ghana Business Council in 2019, this deal will improve connectivity for communities across the country, making the daily journeys to school and work both safer and faster.

Together we are committed to creating opportunities that move beyond aid and towards the trade and investment relationships which drive economic growth and local job creation.

The £43m bridge programme, forming a key part of discussions at the third UK-Ghana Business Council held in Accra in October 2019, has been developed to improve connectivity for rural communities enabling quicker, safer and more efficient access to employment, education and healthcare.

Michael Treacy Mabey Bridge CEO said:

We are delighted to be working with the Government of Ghana to help expedite and successfully implement this urgent, high-profile project. Sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure is critically important to post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation, and we very much look forward to working in partnership with the Ghanaian government to deliver this ambitious programme.

The bridges will be designed, manufactured and built over a two year period. The programme will provide full technical support to assist with the local project management of every bridge. An expert training team will ensure that local engineers working on every bridge have the knowledge and expertise needed to build these specialist bridges.

Adam Afriyie Her Majesty’s Trade Envoy for Ghana said:

UK partnerships with Ghana such as the Mabey Bridge emergency bridge supplies demonstrate the effective collaboration between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of Ghana.

This project shows the UK’s ability to mobilise the best of our shared expertise, with the technical skills to offer world-class solutions, to the increasing need for improving infrastructure in Ghana to support its development.

I am so pleased to see a project advanced by the UK-Ghana Business Council, now made possible with support from the UK Government.

British company, Mabey Bridge, has already installed modular steel bridging solutions to more than 150 countries across the world, and has extensive experience in the delivery of comprehensive financed bridging programmes in support of rural and urban infrastructure development.

Over the last month, representatives from the British High Commission also witnessed the signing of a contract between the Ministry of Roads and Highways and BHM that will see the construction of a major road system.

Working with Nurizon International of the UK and Aurecon Africa alongside the Ministry of Roads and Highways, BHM will construct the Tema – Aflao project between 2020 and 2024. The project is likely to employ more than 500 Ghanaians providing them with extensive training.

Notes to Editors

• Mabey Bridge (an Acrow Group company) is based in Gloucestershire, UK, and is a leading international provider of high-quality modular steel bridging solutions. Mabey Bridge specialises in rapid-build, pre-engineered modular steel bridges to enable accelerated bridge construction and improve connectivity in urban and rural areas.

• Mabey Bridge has supplied modular bridging solutions to over 150 countries worldwide and has extensive experience in the delivery of comprehensive financed bridging programmes to help restore critical infrastructure.

• BHM Construction International are a civil engineering company specialising in airports and roads. BHM have recently undergone an expansion programme into the Caribbean and operate in the Bahamas, Antigua and the UK. The company are looking to expand into Sub Saharan Africa and the Tema to Aflao road – border with Togo major upgrade will be their first project in Ghana.

• Established in 2018, the UK-Ghana Business Council (UKGBC) functions as a high-level forum to promote bilateral relations and strategic partnerships between Ghanaian private sector and UK counterparts. Promoting trade and investment for the mutual benefit of each nation and enhancing economic growth.

• UKEF is the UK government’s export credit agency and a government department, working alongside the Department for International Trade as an integral part of its strategy and operations. Working with more than 100 private credit insurers and lenders to help UK companies access export finance (the particular class of loans, insurance policies or bank guarantees that enable international trade to take place as easily and securely as possible). We exist to complement not compete with the private sector.