"Brave" NHS staff have been given free parking at Gateshead Council owned car parks for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.
Social care staff, health service volunteers and key workers will also be exempt from paying.
This applies to 21 car parks across the borough, totalling over 2,000 spaces.
Coun John McElroy, cabinet member for environment and transport said: "These brave people are working around the clock doing vital and highly-valued work to support the most vulnerable in our society. We want to do all we can to support them and show we're grateful.
"I would remind the general public and those non-essential workers to stay at home. We need to do all we can to protect the NHS and save lives."
This comes as private company the National Car Parking Group has also said it will provide NHS staff free parking at all 150 of its sites in England.
This includes major major cities throughout Britain including Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London and Manchester
NCP says it is offering free parking until the end of April for NHS staff who pre-book online.
Bookings can be made up to an hour before arrival.
