Today, new national arrangements come into place meaning that anyone who is double-jabbed won?t need to self-isolate if they come into contact with someone with Covid. Fully vaccinated adults who received their second dose at least 14 days prior and those under 18 will no longer need to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of someone with Covid, as long as they don't have symptoms. Instead they will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and advised to take a PCR test.

As double jabbed people identified as close contacts are still at risk of being infected, people are advised to wear a face covering in enclosed spaces, and limiting contact with other people, especially with anyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable. Those not fully vaccinated will still need to isolate if they are identified as close contacts, and everyone will still have to isolate if they test positive, to protect themselves and others.

It?s hopefully further incentive for anyone who still hasn?t taken up the vaccination to do so ? two simple trips to any one of a number of local walk-in vaccination centres could save you the hassle of having to quarantine for up to ten days.

Also, 16 and 17 year olds can now get the jab ? increasingly important since we know that it is among teenagers that Covid is increasing most in the local population. This age group is more likely to mix together and may think they are unlikely to get Covid or suffer seriously if they do ?? but if they get vaccinated they will reduce the risk not only to themselves but also others, including older family members who may be more vulnerable to Covid. If you know teenagers who are reluctant to get jabbed, please encourage them to do it for others if not themselves. They can simply turn up at selected vaccination centres.

In Nottingham we stand in solidarity with the people of Plymouth, sharing their sorrow at the dreadful shooting of five people there last week. Many of us joined Plymouth in their minute?s silence earlier today to pay our respects to the victims and their loved ones. Our local police force was the first to recognise misogyny as a hate crime and it?s vitally important that anyone experiencing or aware of such a crime report it immediately to the police who will take it seriously and take action.

The City Council and our partners have supported hospitality businesses throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, with grant funding and business rates relief. However, as the restrictions are lifted many businesses have told us that they are in urgent need of staff, in all roles across their businesses.

The Nottingham Jobs service engages with job seekers and employers and is well placed to take action to support these businesses and anyone looking for work in the sector. If you are looking for work or an employer looking to recruit you can find more information here: www.nottinghamjobs.com/hospitalityworks ?