The original plan was that from Thursday only the city and the boroughs of Rushcliffe, Gedling, and Broxtowe would be moved up into the highest alert category of the government’s 3 Tier measures in England.
Now, it has been reported, those areas will remain as they are until Newark and Sherwood, Mansfield, Ashfield, and Bassetlaw are also to be moved up.
‘Wasn’t Really a Consultation’
Following his participation in a meeting with the government on Wednesday morning he told the media outlet that “It wasn’t really a consultation or asking what we are okay with, it was them telling us that we are doing it.”He said that the idea of implementing the measures on Thursday was “frankly a joke” and agreement to delay tougher measures until Friday was a “concession” on the part of the government.
Otherwise, he said, “it would have meant giving a load of businesses 12 hours’ notice to close.”
He also said health leaders were raising concerns in the meeting that if they “don’t get a grip on the curve” there won’t be enough hospital capacity for the NHS to cope.
Also speaking to Nottinghamshire Live Lee Anderson, Conservative MP for Ashfield said he was disappointed that his borough was going into tougher measures but the virus figures that have risen sharply over the last fortnight “don’t lie” and were “well above the National average.”
He added that local health officials had told him that they believed the whole county should move into Tier 3.
‘Clear Communication’
It called for clear communication from both national and local government for businesses.“While we understand the public health reasons for this decision, it will have a significantly detrimental impact on people’s lives in the areas affected,” he added.
He said it was “vitally important” that businesses knew from the government what the “exit strategy” would be.
“Businesses and communities must be aware of which tests must be passed, and when, in order for the area to come out of tier three lockdown, “he said.
“This situation can’t be allowed to continue for any longer than is absolutely necessary,” he added.
Nottinghamshire will join Warrington as well as the Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and South Yorkshire in the highest tier.