As infection rates increase across the country, even stricter measures are now anticipated, with an announcement from the Prime Minister expected later this evening on what these will be. Although rates in Nottingham are currently below the national average, we don?t want to see the incredibly worrying infection rates and hospital pressures that some areas are now experiencing. I know that Nottingham people will continue to do the right thing to limit the spread of the virus locally and I will continue to lobby Government on the issue of support for local people, businesses, jobs and education to help us through this pandemic.

At the moment, ?Stay at Home? restrictions remain in place in Nottingham. This means that we must stay at stay at home as much as possible; non-essential retail will stay closed, people should work from home if they can and you can only meet one person from another household outdoors. A fuller explanation of Tier 4 restrictions can be found here Nottingham Covid-19 Restrictions

Around one in three people have no symptoms so will be spreading it without even realising, for now the best way to help limit the spread is to act like you?ve got it. Please continue to

• Wash hands regularly
• Wear a face covering in public spaces
• Maintain social distance.

If you have at least one of these symptoms - high temperature, new continuous cough or loss or change to your sense of smell or taste - then book a test for Covid-19 online ?or call 119. You MUST stay home until you get the result.

To help all our communities understand the new key COVID-19 safety measures and restrictions, there are downloadable translation guides for 16 different languages on our website here: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/coronavirus/translations.

While Covid infection levels in Nottingham remain below the national average and lower still among primary school children, we nevertheless understand the anxiety for both parents and school staff about the planned return to school for primary pupils. We also know what a difficult time it has been for school staff over the past year in the face of unprecedented pressure brought about by Covid.

School is the best place for children if it is safe for them to be there, and school leaders have become skilled at making risk assessments. We have written to local authority headteachers to offer support for their decision-making based on risk assessment and made absolutely clear that we will support any headteacher who feels it necessary to close, if their risk assessment dictates that it is not safe to open. We will also support school leaders who decide that they have enough staff and can safely open part or all of their school. Local headteachers and governors know their schools better than anyone else, and will understand the impact of any staff absence. See more here

2021 will be the year when our schemes in the southern area of the city centre will reveal the enormous transformation they will make to this previously underwhelming part of Nottingham. A striking, modern building is taking shape to replace the dreary, old Broadmarsh car park, and work is underway to completely change the look and feel of surrounding streets. Traffic-choked multi-lane roads will be replaced in favour of calm, pleasant public spaces full of trees and plants where people will want to linger and enjoy the surroundings. The developments at the new college and at Nottingham Castle will also have a dramatic impact. In the meantime, we have had over 3,000 responses to our Big Conversation consultation about what should be done with the Broadmarsh shopping centre site. What started as a disappointment is now a unique opportunity to reshape and reimagine one of the most significant city centre development sites in the country. See more here