As we hear about the fourth and final stage of the government's roadmap out lockdown, it is important as a city we recognise that Nottingham has increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases. Currently Nottingham has 380.9 cases per 1,000 compared to 223.8 cases per 1,000 nationally; this is something we must not ignore.

Whilst we all want to return to life as it was before Covid, it?s important we still recognise we all have a responsibility to protect ourselves and those around us.

I ask everyone in Nottingham to take personal responsibility to protect others and encourage everyone to continue to wear face coverings in appropriate places and follow the behaviours around ?hands, face and space?. This is especially important when using public transport and visiting public indoor places such as shops. Please bear in mind that the wearing of face coverings is predominantly to protect others rather than ourselves.

We have worked so hard in Nottingham to tackle the virus together ? let?s not undo all that hard work as we head towards a lifting of the national restrictions after the 19 July.

It is important we follow some simple steps to tackle the spread of the virus in Nottingham:

• Get your jab! You can walk into any vaccination site or book your vaccination through the national booking link
• Take a regular, free, rapid lateral flow test, even if you don?t have symptoms. Accessing a test has never been easier ? find out all the ways here. You can even have a test kit posted to your home.
• Ensure you book a Covid-19 test and isolate immediately if you are experiencing symptoms
• Remember to follow the main Covid-19 behaviours: Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air.

It is important we continue to take care and take all necessary actions to keep ourselves and those around us safe.

Nottingham has always had a varied and vibrant hospitality offer for both local people and visitors and it?s an important part of our local economy. Unfortunately, across the country this sector has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic with restrictions on trading significantly affecting business turnover. A lot has been done in the last year to back businesses in Nottingham but there are still challenges which affect hospitality businesses in particular.

Recruitment is a key challenge for this sector right now and the Nottingham Jobs service is working on a ?Hospitality Works' campaign which aims to support pubs, bars, cafes, restaurants and hotels in the city and raise awareness of careers and job opportunities within the hospitality sector. They are speaking with local hospitality businesses to get a better understanding of their employment and skills needs ahead of Coronavirus restrictions being lifted.

Local hospitality business are invited to a webinar on 12 July, find out more and book a place Hospitality Works - support in finding people & skills for your business

Job seekers can find out more about local job opportunities by following Nottingham Jobs social media - Instagram,?Facebook,?Twitter?and LinkedIn?

Today we join the nation in wishing our wonderful NHS a very Happy 73rd Birthday! I?d like to say a huge thank you to NHS workers & volunteers for everything they've done over the past year and beyond.

On Saturday night iconic buildings in the city including Green?s Windmill, the newly transformed Castle, the Council House and more where lit up blue to show Nottingham?s appreciation of the NHS and to celebrate 73 years of its wonderful service.