New restrictions were announced by the Government yesterday to try to stem the spread of Covid. There is no full lockdown proposed, as schools, colleges and universities will remain open, as will businesses, in a Covid-secure way. Where it?s possible to do so, workers ought to work from home but anyone who needs to go to a workplace to do their job can and should do so. From Thursday, pubs/bars and restaurants will operate table service only and everywhere including takeaways will close at 10pm. Staff in retail, taxis and indoor hospitality will all have to wear face coverings. Clearly, the established guidelines around washing hands, wearing face coverings and social distancing still apply, as does the Rule of Six, which now also applies to adult team sports, while from Monday limits of 15 for weddings and 30 for funerals will be introduced. Covid secure guidelines will be a legal obligation on businesses and tighter penalties will be introduced, with a new fining structure for businesses as well as the public. The Government says we should expect all these rules to be in place for the next six months, which following on from the last six months will be frustrating for many of us. But it?s really important for all of us to take these new measures seriously and stick to them if we want to protect ourselves and those around us from this deadly virus. Find more information on the new rules here

Over National Recycling Week, I?d like to ask Nottingham?s households to take a moment to check that you know how to Recycle It Right. Putting the wrong type of waste into your bins currently costs the council more than ?300,000 a year. Remembering some simple tips can make a big difference, help us save money and improve our recycling rates.

1. Do not put your recycling in plastic carrier bags ? just put it loose in your grey lidded recycling bin
2. These common household items CAN NOT be recycled:
   1. Food waste, pizza boxes and take away tubs
   2. Tetra Paks/Juice Cartons
   3. Thin plastic items such as Clingfilm
   4. Polystyrene
   5. Clothing and textiles.

Please make sure your recycling items are dry, clean and loose and if you are unsure about whether something is recyclable or not, please do visit our online recycling information pages www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/recycleitright? to find our more or simply don?t take a chance ? leave it out of the recycling bin!

I?d also like to thank our recycling and waste key workers for all the work they have done over lockdown, while the world slowed down around them they have admirably carried on day after day collecting the city?s waste and recycling. I?m sure that we are all very grateful for this.

Today is National Fitness Day, a day that celebrates the many benefits of physical activity such as improving mental health and wellbeing, reducing loneliness and anti-social behaviour, and boosting productivity in the workplace.

Following lockdown, we were really pleased to be able to reopen our leisure centres. A huge amount of preparation took place to get them ready for reopening with a host of changes in place to ensure public safety. Our Sport and Leisure team are constantly monitoring local and national guidance to ensure that our leisure centres are as safe as they can be. Our leisure centres have received some fantastic feedback since reopening;

• Very impressed with the smooth running of classes during this difficult period
• Friendly staff, clear instructions - I felt it was all ?Covid Secure,? thank you
• The centre was clean and restrictions in place regarding COVID made it feel safe and in control. Well done
• Great fitness classes. I think it is incredible that they are doing all of this within the midst of a pandemic!

To find out more about our sport and leisure offer and the changes in place as a result of COIVD-19 visit Active Nottingham