This edition of the Age Friendly Nottingham Newsletter is focussed on the latest local and national information on coronavirus to help you look after yourself and loved ones. ?We know that this time may be particularly worrying for those who are living with illness and disability, but information about support is available from the Nottingham City Council website if you need it.

When you are caring for someone, it can be easy to feel cut off, particularly when you are staying at home more.? Help and advice is available for carers from the Nottingham Carers Hub.

We are all in this together and we need to protect each other so please:

• Continue to wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds
• Wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will coming into contact with people you do not normally meet
• Stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing a face covering, or increasing ventilation indoors).

Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will be moving into the Very High COVID alert level from one minute past midnight on Friday morning. The new restrictions will be in place for 28 days.? The decision has been made due to the high and increasing number of people in our hospitals testing positive for the virus. ?Tier Three is the right alert level for our city; although our rates are coming down they are still very high.

The Tier 3 restrictions mean:

• People must not meet socially with friends and family indoors in any setting unless they are part of their household or support bubble. This includes private homes and indoors in hospitality venues, such as pubs.
• People must not meet with people outside of their household or support bubble in a private garden or in most outdoor public venues.
• People can continue to see friends and family in groups of six or less that they don?t live with (or have formed a support bubble with) in certain outdoor public spaces, such as a park or public garden.
• All pubs and bars must close unless they are serving substantial meals, such as a main lunchtime or evening meal. They can only serve alcohol as part of a meal. Pubs, bars and restaurants must still close between 10pm and 5am.
• Wedding receptions will not be permitted, but people can get married with a maximum of 15 people at the ceremony (check with the venue for additional restrictions).
• Avoid travelling outside the Very High alert area 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.
• Avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK.

• More detail about the Tier 3 restrictions are on the Government website here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-very-high

Additional local restrictions:

• All hospitality venues (cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs) can only 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 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.

If you develop any of the following symptoms:

• A high temperature
• Continuous cough
• Loss of taste or smell

Self-isolate immediately and book a coronavirus test online or by calling 119.? Do not visit your GP surgery if you have symptoms.

NHS advice is available here.

If you, or someone you know, needs a hand with technology and are feeling isolated from connected with others online, Clicksilver Connections have mentors who may be able to support you over the phone.? A series of free four-week (one hour per week) programmes will be starting on the following dates:

• 11^th November
• 18^th November
• 3^rd February
• 10^th February
• 10^th March

For more information call 07725 638028 or 07415 960513 or email [email protected]?

This winter more than ever, with Covid-19 still circulating, we need to help reduce all avoidable risks. You can help protect the NHS, social care and loved ones by getting the flu vaccine ? the single most effective way to prevent getting the flu and protecting those close to you.? You can check NHS.UK to check if you are eligible for a no-charge flu vaccination.?

Exercise makes you feel happy and healthy, it?s free and can be fun!? Being home for a long time means we?ve not been getting the exercise we used to which increases the risk of our falling. Even before the COVID-19 virus, not enough of us were getting the exercise we needed to stay as fit and well as possible.

Small Steps to Feeling Good is an NHS recommended programme.? There are exercise levels to suit adults of any age, whether you currently exercise or not.?

Online singing for people with dementia

There is free online singing for people with dementia on alternate Mondays until Christmas.? There is no geographical limit on who can participate on Zoom.? The sessions are held from 11.00-12.00 on the following dates:

• 9 November 2020
• 23 November 2020
• 7 December 2020
• 21 December 2020

If you would like to join, please email?[email protected]

Trent Dementia

Trent Dementia has been helping those living with dementia to engage with new technology to ensure vital community groups continue ? from week one of lockdown.? They have online groups over Zoom with people living with dementia and their families:

• Tuesdays (Coffee & Chat),
• Wednesday mornings (Outdoor Lovers, Virtual Walk) and evenings (Evening Coffee & Chat)
• Thursdays (Friends for Life Dementia Peer support group).

For more information on online groups, click here?or telephone 0115 74 84220 or email [email protected]