After ten weeks of the weekly Clap For Carers ritual, last night saw what is said to be the final one. I’ve been proud to stand with Nottingham and applaud the city’s carers, NHS and front line staff as they have worked tirelessly to serve our city, putting themselves at risk to keep us safe. To mark the occasion I and City Councillors gathered in Old Market Square, keeping two metres apart, to say a really big thank you to Nottingham’s key workers as the Little John bell rang out across the city.

Groups of up to six people will be able to meet outdoors in England from Monday 1 June, including in gardens and other private outdoor spaces. The evidence shows that the risk of transmission is significantly lower outdoors and this step will mean that people can see more of their friends, family and loved ones. However, it is very important that social distancing is still adhered to and that people from different households continue to stay two metres apart. Many of us will welcome this change and even though social distancing within groups of family and friends will seem very strange at first, it is vitally important that we adhere to the Government guidelines to stop a second wave of the virus in Nottingham.

The police will continue to take the approach of engaging, explaining and encouraging individuals to follow the law. Where people do not follow the rules, the police will have the power to enforce these requirements as a last resort