Chances of moving out of Tier 3 at the beginning of 2021 is looking doubtful, according to Nottinghamshire's Police and Crime Commissioner.
Paddy Tipping said he believes that Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will remain in Tier 3 until the beginning of February.
The news comes as council leaders await the government decision on December 16 over whether the county will remain in Tier 3 over the Christmas period.
Jonathan Gribbin, Director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire, said it could be "challenging" for the government to consider Tier 2 for the whole of Nottinghamshire.
Hospitals such as Queen's Medical Centre are still under pressure and the rate of infections among the over 60s has not dropped as fast as Public Health would have wanted them to.
A decision will be made on Wednesday over whether Nottinghamshire will be moved from Tier 3 to Tier 2.
Tier 2 would mean pubs, bars and restaurants could open as long as they serve substantial meals and that people can visit friends and family they do not live with outdoors, in a group of no more than six.
Currently, Nottingham city has 147 cases per 100,000 population, which is below the national average of 166 cases per 100,000.
However, the rates in other parts of the county remain higher. In Bassetlaw the rate is currently 222.2 cases per 100,000 people.
Mr Tipping told Nottinghamshire Live: "Tiers has a sunset clause, which means it has a finish date when they took it through Parliament.
"The end date is the beginning of February.
"I think there is every possibility we will be in Tier 3 until then.
"We have got rates that are still high, the Queen's Medical Centre is under pressure and the disease rates among the over 60s is really high.
"And, however carefully people behave over Christmas, which is three families together, there is going to be more social contact and if you look at what the health experts say there could be a third wave."
