Restrictions lifted in parts of West Yorkshire where coronavirus rates have dropped

Following discussions with local leaders, the Health Secretary, NHS Test and Trace, the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC), and the Chief Medical Officer for England have agreed this week’s changes to local restrictions in some parts of England.

It means next week people in the listed areas will be able to mix with family and friends outside their household, in line with national social distancing rules, for the first time since restrictions were announced on July 30.

Businesses and organisations which opened elsewhere in England on 15 August, including bowling alleys and indoor play areas, will also be permitted to re-open in the areas listed above, bringing these areas in line with the rest of the country.

From Wednesday September 2, restrictions on two households mixing introduced last month will be lifted in:

Parts of Bradford excluding Bradford city and Keighley town

Parts of Calderdale excluding Halifax

Parts of Kirklees excluding Dewsbury and Batley

The easements have been agreed thanks to the outstanding local efforts to halt spikes in the virus, through local interventions, increased targeted testing and avoiding mixing with other households indoors.

To maintain this good progress, it is important local residents continue to wear face coverings where necessary, practise good hygiene and adhere to national social distancing rules, the DHSC said.

This week local areas have been encouraged to take a new, collaborative approach to advise on the geographical boundaries of local restrictions, with councils, public health leaders and MPs making proposals to the Gold Local Action committee based on the latest data available.

It means restrictions in some areas will only apply to certain wards, rather than the entire Local Authority area.

The DHSC said this is a key part of the governments enhanced Contain Strategy, which was announced last week, and will deliver more targeted action to drive down rates of COVID-19 at a hyper-local level.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We brought in measures to protect people in these parts of Northern England, and I want to thank residents who have worked so hard to get on top of this virus.

“We’re seeing the positive results of our local approach, and are able to bring in increasingly targeted measures.

“It is vital we can maintain this good progress.

"I have every faith people across the county, especially in areas where we are seeing higher numbers of cases, will continue to play their part by following local rules, and self-isolating and requesting a free test as soon as they get any symptoms.”

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Thank you

Laura Collins