All council-run car parks in Newcastle will be free of charge for the next three weeks, to help key workers who have to make essential journeys into the city.
The move is aimed at helping support key workers, with 700 parking spaces made available to critical care staff at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and a further 87 for Freeman Hospital workers.
The council has also revealed that kind locals have even offered to let NHS staff park on their drives.
Assistant Director of Operations and Parking Services, David Hall, said: “This is all about supporting key workers across the city - that is why we are freeing up our entire estate of on-street and off-street parking spaces.
“But I would urge people to park appropriately or face getting a ticket. Unless you are permitted to, do not park on double yellow lines, in disabled bays or near junctions which could cause an accident especially with so many emergency vehicles on our roads.
“This will arrangement be in place for 21 days and then be reviewed.”
The parking move is part of a string of measures brought in locally to help fight the deadly virus, after PM Boris Johnson announced tighter controls nationally on Monday.
To date, 422 British people have died after contracting Covid-19.
“My heart goes out to those who have lost their lives to this dreadful virus. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families at this very sad time," said Council chief executive, Pat Ritchie, said
“The council continues to act on the latest advice from Government about limiting social contact so we can slow the transmission of the virus and help our colleagues in the NHS who are bravely fighting this invisible enemy.
“As a consequence, more council staff who can work from home are doing so and we continue to support those who have to come into work.
“In the face of adversity, we continue to provide key services such as refuse collections and social care and are training up more and more staff every day so they can step in to do alternative jobs as colleagues fall sick or have to self-isolate. But this is not easy and is placing a lot on our staff to whom I pay tribute.
“We have also taken the decision to free up our entire estate of pay and display parking spaces for key workers but would emphasis these are for essential use only.
“I ask that residents bear with us and observe to the letter the new restrictions on freedom of movement announced by the Prime Minister. Its importance cannot be overestimated if our hospitals are to have a fighting chance over the coming weeks.”
The parking spaces given over to the NHS are:
Stadium Multi-Storey - 150 spaces
Eldon Garden Multi-Storey - 100 spaces
Morden Street - 50 spaces
Leazes Park Road - 20 spaces
Terrace Place - 20 spaces
Claremont Road - 50 spaces
Eldon Square Multi-Storey - 50 spaces
Oxford Multi-Storey - 60 spaces
