The deputy leader of Broxtowe Borough Council claims the Government called to say it was "having a rethink" over Tier 3 agreements - 20 minutes after the authority had published the terms on its website.
Councillor Steve Carr said in a statement the terms of Tier 3 for Nottingham, Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe were withdrawn due to the rising infection rates in north Nottinghamshire.
He says the council had actually published the information at 7.30pm on Tuesday (October 27) but was told to take it down 20 minutes later.
His statement comes as MP for Nottingham South, Lilian Greenwood, told Nottinghamshire Live a meeting is to take place on Wednesday, October 28 at 9am to discuss placing more areas of the county in Tier 3.
Nottingham, Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe were the only areas that were originally being considered for Tier 3 on Thursday at 00.01.
Councillor Carr said: "I am becoming more and more frustrated at how inept and indecisive our national Government are.
"Many of you will know that the decision was announced on Monday that Nottingham, Broxtowe, Rushcliffe and Gedling were to be placed into Tier 3 from midnight on Wednesday.
"We were promised that we would be given the go ahead to advise people of the implications for them by this morning.
"Broxtowe finally got that go-ahead earlier this evening. Broxtowe Council published them on their website at the agreed time of 7.30pm.
"20 minutes later the council was contacted by the Government to advise us that they were having a rethink given the rising infection rates in Ashfield and Mansfield and there is to be a further meeting tomorrow morning.
"This is totally unacceptable to those individuals and business in the borough who are waiting to find out how their lives will be affected.
"These constant delays are putting local lives at risk as infection rates in Broxtowe continue to rise."
Council leaders say they have been left "furious and betrayed" by the lack of clarity.
Leader of Ashfield District Council, Jason Zadrozny, added: "I've had a phone call with Chris Pincher who asked for all the leaders [of each council] to have a meeting at 9am tomorrow morning to brief us with some health stats.
"I suspect something is coming. By half past 10 we should know. My understanding is they may want to change it and add us all in.
"They have already negotiated the financial packages for the county council, all that is left to do is draw the map."
Earlier, a joint statement from local leaders in Nottingham, Gedling, Broxtowe, Rushcliffe and the wider county, said: "We appreciate that our communities and businesses are awaiting clarity and certainty about how the Tier 3 measures will impact on them.
"We await confirmation from government about their progress in drafting the necessary legislation for Nottingham, Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe.
"At the earliest opportunity, we will publish details of the measures and package of support.”
