Mansfield Mayor Andy Abrahams has said he expects the town to rise to the challenge o a third national lockdown because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“This third National Lockdown is obviously unwelcome news to many residents and businesses in this district,” he said.

“Although most people perhaps knew it was inevitable, it was still a shock when everyone considers how it will affect their lives over the next two or three months.

“I know Mansfield people will rally to this latest challenge and continue to look out for the most vulnerable during this most difficult of times. We want to reassure all residents of this district that the council will be doing everything it can to help them through it in terms of humanitarian support and business assistance.

“These new measures have to be viewed in terms of the wider national picture. Clearly there is a nationwide need to reduce the increasing number of Covid-19 cases to help save lives and ease the acute pressure on the NHS.

“This new variant of the virus is much easier to catch and, with a good percentage of carriers having no obvious symptoms, it is much harder to contain without more stringent restrictions on our freedoms.

“It is, therefore, crucial that everyone behaves responsibly because any one of us could be that person who is accidentally spreading this virus without knowing it.

“These new measures will have the best chance of being effective if each and every one of us abides by them. It is worrying to see that the area has examples of people who are not following the rules and, over recent weeks, households holding parties.

“It has never been more important to ensure that we follow the rules and play our part in controlling the virus. We must have a collective effort to bring cases down and get back to some kind of normality.

“We know it’s hard but with vaccinations now happening, we’re much closer to a more positive outcome.

“Those who break the rules will make it more likely that the lockdown will go on for longer. No one wants that so it’s in everyone’s interests to do the right thing.

“Stay at home as much as possible. Wear a mask when you are out shopping. Wash your hands often. Avoid mixing with other households. Self-isolate and get tested if you have any Covid symptoms, however mild. And get vaccinated when it’s your turn.

“All these actions will help save lives, help to protect our NHS and help all those who are working so hard to deal with this dreadful virus.”

The council said its services are currently only minimally affected by the new measures but will be kept under constant review and any changes will be based on the needs of the community and council staffing levels. Visit www.mansfield.gov.uk/coronavirus for updates.