It?s easy to get overwhelmed by many of the new Covid-19 announcements made by the Government yesterday as part of its plan for autumn and winter. For me, one message is clear: the virus hasn?t gone away? we have to keep protecting ourselves and each other from Covid.

Don?t worry if you hear people talking about ?Plan A? or ?Plan B?, for now we need to:

1. Continue to apply ?Hands, Face, Space, Fresh Air? to our everyday lives
2. Get vaccinated ? whether that?s your first dose, second dose or third booster dose
3. Test regularly for Covid-19 ? even if you are double-jabbed and don?t have symptoms

Vaccinations are a key weapon in our armoury against the virus. If you are yet to be vaccinated, there is still time? you can go along to any vaccination centre (locations and opening times) and walk in without appointment. If you have had both doses, it might be that you will be eligible for the third ?booster? jab ? the NHS will be contacting people over 50, those with underlying health conditions, and health and care staff. And plans are also underway to offer the vaccine to secondary school children aged 12-15 and we are supporting the NHS and head teachers with this over the next few weeks.

I know many of us hoped that the pandemic would be over by now, but it is clear that we have to keep going. We have to continue to work together to protect ourselves and each other from Covid-19 as we move towards the colder winter months.

It was exciting to read the recent media coverage of our City?s progress on carbon neutrality.

It?s a real feather in Nottingham?s cap that we are not only on track to be the UK's first neutral city in 2028, but the second city in Europe to achieve the status behind Copenhagen in Denmark.

Nottingham has seen CO2 levels more than halve in the past 15 years according to Government figures, partly thanks to policies aimed at reducing car use and investing in public transport.

One of the big drivers of the fall in emissions is the Workplace Parking Levy, which was used to fund an expansion of Nottingham?s tram system. While there?s still so much more to do it?s pleasing to see the progress we are making and that Nottingham is leading the way, not just in the UK but across Europe as well.

I?m delighted that the Council is hosting a flagship event for the UK Race To Zero Electric Bus tour in the run up to COP26. COP26 is the UN?s Climate Change Conference which is happening in Glasgow this year. Five years after the momentous Paris Agreement was adopted at COP21, this event will be even more significant as the countries that committed to working together to tackle climate change now have to bring even more ambitious plans forward in order to keep the hope of holding temperature rises to 1.5 alive.

The Race To Zero Electric Bus tour is coming to Nottingham on 24 September and will be at the Nottingham Motorpoint Arena. This event will showcase the brilliant work that is being done across Nottingham and the wider East Midlands on delivering Net Zero.

As well as the Council, the event will feature other public-sector organisations in the East Midlands, along with local businesses and universities as we discuss the concept of net-zero carbon and why it is critical for businesses and other organisations in this decade of action. It's a great opportunity to hear carbon stories from like-minded local people, organisations and community groups and the impactful projects they are undertaking to reduce their carbon emissions.

I?m really looking forward to speaking at this event and sharing the good projects and ideas that are coming from Nottingham. If you?re interested in attending you can find out more here Race to Zero: Nottingham

Today marks the start of the Jewish celebration of Yom Kippur, possibly the most holy day in the Jewish calendar. Yom Kippur means ?Day of Atonement? and it?s quite a solemn day, when people are encouraged to make amends and ask forgiveness.

I?d like to wish the Jewish community in Nottingham and all those celebrating a very peaceful and meaningful Yom Kippur.