The deputy leader of Nottingham City Council has said that residents should take their own action to protect against the spread of coronavirus and not wait for the expected local lockdown measures to be announced.
It comes as the figures for the city have risen to over 400 cases per 100,000 residents.
Cllr Sally Longford said in a statement:
‘The emerging situation in Nottingham around the increase in positive Covid cases and infections is deeply concerning.
‘These high levels will undoubtedly involve greater restrictions being imposed by Government as they have elsewhere in the country, expected to be announced soon.
‘However, we are urging people to do the right thing now, if they aren’t already. We do recognise, acknowledge and thank everyone who has been sticking to the rules for so long – and that’s the vast majority of people in Nottingham.
‘And let’s be clear, while students do have a significant bearing on the increase in cases, they are by no means the only part of the population where cases are sharply rising. All wards and all age groups are affected.
‘But of course the arrival of close to 50,000 students in the city was always going to have an impact on this situation. Students live in shared accommodation and so they are particularly susceptible to the spread of the virus.
‘We are working with both universities to help them tackle this and provide clear instructions to students on how best to avoid catching and passing on the virus.
‘We urge them, and other residents across the city, not to wait for the specific detail of extra restrictions that will come soon from Government, and to start immediately restricting themselves to their social bubbles and to not mix in their homes with people from other households, as well as following the ‘Hands, Face, Space’ guidance and the Rule of Six.’
