Coronavirus: Tightening of lockdown in parts of West Yorkshire

Calendar
Bradford
Kirklees
Calderdale
Friday 31 July 2020 at 4:30pm

People from different households in Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees are banned from meeting each other indoors from midnight on 30th July as part of “immediate action” to keep people safe, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted a list of the areas in West Yorkshire where households are now banned from meeting each other indoors from midnight tonight.

He tweeted: "We're constantly looking at the latest data on the spread of coronavirus, and unfortunately we've seen an increasing rate of transmission in parts of Northern England.

"We've been working with local leaders across the region, and today I chaired a meeting of the Local Action Gold Committee. Based on the data, we decided that in Greater Manchester, parts of West Yorkshire & East Lancashire we need to take immediate action to keep people safe.

"The spread is largely due to households meeting and not abiding to social distancing. So from midnight tonight, people from different households will not be allowed to meet each other indoors in these areas.

"We take this action with a heavy heart, but we can see increasing rates of Covid across Europe and are determined to do whatever is necessary to keep people safe."

The leader of Calderdale Council, Tim Swift says he is disappointed with the way that the restrictions were announced.

Bradford Council has tweeted asking residents to follow the new guidelines.

Kirklees Council said they have asked the Government for clarity on the new restrictions.

Calderdale Council tweeted to say they are also awaiting further guidance. The rate of Covid-19 in the seven days to July 27 has gone up from 20.9 to 33.8 in Calderdale, with 71 new cases.

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman said the measures were "inevitable" and urged constituents to understand the seriousness of the situation and support the measures.

Meanwhile Holly Lynch, Labour MP for Halifax and shadow immigration minister, said she was "disappointed" at the lack of information.

The ban on households meeting indoors also covers intentionally meeting up with other households in pubs, restaurants and bars.

The Government told ITV News Political Correspondent Paul Brand, “Households may go to hospitality, for instance bars and pubs, but new guidance will make clear that two households should not go to hospitality together.”