Calderdale leaders call on residents to ''unite'' to beat Covid-19
Calderdale bosses have called on residents to ''unite'' and work together, after local coronavirus restrictions were placed on the region last week.
The extra restrictions were placed upon Calderdale, Bradford and Kirklees on 30th July, as part of “immediate action” to keep people safe, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.
The new measures mean that different households cannot meet indoors and are unable to socialise with people in public venues.
In a joint statement read out last night (August 3), senior officials across Calderdale called on residents to be kind and resilient, and ''work together to keep safe''.
The statement, also posted on social media, emphasised the importance of ''sticking together'' and not ''scapegoating.''
''This virus does not adhere to boundaries either of town, local authority or region, as we have seen. We will not seek to blame, to create division and scapegoat, particularly when we have seen so much loss, and when this affects those who often work in occupations such as our NHS, on transport, in social care and in our shops.
''Those who have kept the country going, and to whom we all owe a great debt of thanks. Thanks that we recognised on those Thursday evenings when we stood together as one.
''We now need to stand together again. Working in partnership to adhere to the guidance, and promoting understanding of the threat we face. This gives us the best chance of beating this terrible pandemic.
''There is no doubt that this is a really tough time for each and every one of us in Calderdale. And through the tough times, what we need most is to unite to beat whatever crisis is facing us.
''We know that Calderdale is a kind place. A resilient place. A place with a strong track record of community spirit and inclusion. Just look at the amazing joint response to major flooding and the heart-warming stories of togetherness during the darkest days of lockdown.
The statement continues: ''Remember how we bounced back from the last recession that had such an impact on our towns and businesses. The recurring theme shining through is the compassion and determination to be as one, which defines Calderdale.
''We know that people responded brilliantly when we went into lockdown, and the efforts we all took together at the start of the pandemic helped to keep the infection rate low in Calderdale. We are grateful for the many personal sacrifices that people throughout the borough have made to protect each other.
''Our Muslim community showed great dignity last week when, just before Eid al-Adha, an event as important as Christmas is to those of Christian faith, restrictions were introduced, which led to immediate cancellation of plans. We thank our Muslim community for the understanding that they showed, and continue to show.
We have worked closely with our communities over recent days, and it is so positive to see the vast majority of people are following the guidance. When this is not happening we will seek to educate, engage and if necessary use powers available to us.
''We hope and believe this will rarely be necessary. The action we take today will help to reduce the spread of the virus and keep Calderdale out of a much stricter local lockdown.
''Now is not the time for blame or division. It’s a time to use our strong diversity and inclusion to support each other and to keep the most vulnerable safe. We must all continue to work together as a whole community. We have done this before, we can do it again.''
Read more: