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.

It's simple, but washing your hands often is still one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and others from the Coronavirus. We touch hundreds of surfaces every day. Any one of these, especially in public places, could harbour coronavirus, which can live up to 72 hours on some surfaces.

NHS advice is that we clean your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, if you do not have immediate access to soap and water then use alcohol-based handrub.

You should wash your hands when you:

• Get home or into work
• Blow your nose, sneeze or cough
• Eat or handle food

Nottingham Jobs has successfully applied to be a local representative for the Government?s new Kickstart scheme, a ?2bn national fund which it is hoped will create high quality job roles for local residents aged 16 to 24.

Supporting young people in Nottingham who are at risk of long term unemployment, who have seen a decline in suitable roles due to COVID-19 or have faced increased competition for jobs which will see them earn and start their careers, is currently a significant priority for the council.

The funding available through Kickstart will create six-month work placements, after which it is hoped that young employees will have the skills and experience needed to secure longer-term employment. Kickstart will also enable businesses, which may also be facing challenges themselves due to the pandemic, to support local job seekers and overcome any skills shortages they may be experiencing.

Find out more about Kickstart in Nottingham