As of Tuesday 5th January 2021, Ruddington has joined the rest of the country in a new national lockdown to help fight the growing number of COVID-19 infections and hospitalised cases.
The latest rules can be summed up as “Stay at Home”, with residents told to restrict their movements to essential activities such as going to work, food shopping, caring for others and collecting medicines.
You can’t meet up with other people indoors unless you live with them or they’re part of your support bubble. Outdoor meetings with people outside your household or bubble aren’t allowed, although you can meet up with one other person on your own to take exercise.
In terms of Parish Council equipment, ball courts and outdoor gym equipment should not be used and notices will be placed on the equipment. Parents can continue existing arrangements for contact between parents and children where they live apart. This includes childcare bubbles.
All primary and secondary schools and colleges are now closed except for vulnerable children and the children of support workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half term. Early Years settings remain open.
Higher Education provision will remain online until mid February for all except future critical worker courses.
The new lockdown brings further gloom to local businesses already reeling from the non-stop and ever changing restrictions they’ve been subject to since March 2020. Hospitality outlets such as pubs and cafes can still offer takeaway and delivery only – but nonessential shops and service providers have had to close altogether once again.
Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council Councillor Simon Robinson said: “We know these are yet more significant changes for everyone’s everyday life in Rushcliffe but it is absolutely necessary we follow these rules and stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
“The impact on residents, businesses, parents and individuals we understand is exceptional, but we must do all we can to play our parts to fight this pandemic and ensure we help keep hospital admissions here in the county as low as possible.
“Thank you for your huge sacrifices to date and please keep visiting www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/coronavirus for the latest information.
“We’ll outline any further support for businesses as soon as possible.”