The Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams (above), has urged people in the district to “play their part to slow the spread” of coronavirus as councils throughout Nottinghamshire called for stricter guidelines to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

The director of public health for Nottingham has strongly advised people anywhere in Nottinghamshire to remain in their social bubbles and not to mix in their homes with people from other households.

It follows an increase in positive cases of Covid-19 across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, as well as a rise in the rate of infection. The rates across the county currently vary between 53 and 150 per 100,000.

Nottinghamshire County Council said the Government is expected to announce tougher restrictions for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire later this week, which could include measures similar to those in place in other parts of the country in which movements are restricted.

However, Mansfield and Warsop MP Ben Bradley said: “I wouldn’t want additional formal restrictions in Mansfield unless they are genuinely needed.”

The number of positive tests in Mansfield per 100,000 in the last week is Mansfield 61.3 from 39.3; across Newark and Sherwood it is 113.5, up from 74.3; and across Ashfield it is 96.2, up from 51.6. In Nottingham the figures are 440.1 per 100,000.

The MP said: “Clearly across the county there is a great deal of concern. Levels in the city are very high and we should all be cautious in what we’re doing.

“I’m very keen to examine Mansfield’s data in the coming days in great detail, because at the minute our rate of transmission is far lower than our neighbours, though it is rising fast.

“We need to make these decisions based on the very latest data and follow that trend to see what happens in the coming days.

“I wouldn’t want additional formal restrictions in Mansfield unless they are genuinely needed.”

Mayor of Mansfield Andy Abrahams said: “Even though the current rate in Mansfield is lower than in other parts of Nottinghamshire, we must not be complacent and we must all play our part to slow the spread.

“We have seen how quickly and dramatically the situation can change and we are working closely with our local authority partners to do all we can.

“Covid-19 does not respect district boundaries and our residents travel out of Mansfield for business and leisure so it’s vital that we all work together to slow transmission and help protect our loved ones.

“We also need to protect the NHS as the rise in cases is starting to have an impact and as we move towards winter and the usual pressures it brings.”

All councils in Nottinghamshire are asking the public to act now. The government’s threshold for concern is currently 80 per 100,000.

The county council said: “Therefore, the expectation is that all of the county’s districts and boroughs will be the subject of additional restrictions and measures.”

Director of public health for Nottinghamshire Jonathan Gribbin said: “Covid-19 does not recognise geographical boundaries so we must stand together with our local authority partners to do all we can to fight this virus across all our communities.

“The rapid and sustained increase in the numbers of positive cases is a serious cause for concern and the very dramatic rates in the city are a clear sign that action is needed now across the whole of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

“We must now ask every resident to do their bit and not mix indoors with people from other households.

“It is critical that if you have symptoms of Covid-19 – high temperature, continuous cough or loss of taste or smell – to self-isolate immediately and book a test by calling 119 or by going online to gov.uk. Please do not go to A&E or call your GP to get a test.

“And I wholly support calls from the director of public health for Nottingham to strongly advise people, anywhere in Nottinghamshire, to remain in their social bubbles and not mix in their homes with people from other households.

“Despite the efforts of our best scientists the fact remains there is no vaccine for COVID-19 at present. The single best way to suppress the spread of the virus is in all of our hands. This is through effective handwashing, wearing a face covering where needed, and maintaining a distance of at least two metres where possible. Get tested if you have symptoms, then self-isolate and follow the advice when the results are given.”

County council leader Coun Kay Cutts said: “We recognise how challenging these restrictions are for our freedoms in everyday life, but we ask that you don’t wait until you are told to take action by the government but act now and do all you can to tackle the virus in our communities.

“If we want to see a return to normal life; to see our families again, to see our businesses flourish again, we must act now. No one group is responsible for the spread of this virus. It is circulating in all our communities and it is in the hands of each and every individual to take action to stop it from spreading further.”

Director of adult social care for Nottinghamshire County Council, Melanie Brooks, added: “We are advising care homes to restrict visiting to exceptional circumstances only. We thank carers and relatives for their patience as we work to protect those most at risk of adverse consequences of Covid-19.

“Please contact care homes to ask about their specific restrictions before you visit. We appreciate how hard these new restrictions will be, but we must prioritise the safety of our residents and workforce.”