What you need to know as West Yorkshire 'local lockdown' restrictions continue

Parts of Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees were put into lockdown due to a spike in coronavirus cases.

The measures were announced at 9.15pm on Thursday, July 30 and implemented from midnight the following day.

"Yesterday I chaired a meeting of the Local Action Gold Committee, and unfortunately the data does not yet show a decrease in the transmission of this terrible virus.

"It means we must keep the current restrictions in place to allow more time for the impact of this ban on indoor gatherings to be felt, and make sure local residents and their loved ones are protected.

"At the request of the local area, we are also extending these restrictions to Preston.

"We are constantly examining the data on the prevalence of the virus in these areas, and we will review the measures again next week.

"As we continue to see rising rates of the virus across Europe, it is vital we take every precaution to protect our country.

"I urge everyone in these areas to follow the rules, get yourself a free test as soon as you get any symptoms, and isolate if NHS Test and Trace tells you to."

This is everything you need to know:

Which areas are affected?

Bradford (Including Ilkley, Bradford Council has confirmed).

Calderdale

Kirklees

Why have these areas been put under lockdown?

They have been placed under lockdown due to a rise in confirmed Covid-19 cases.

The government said: "This is in response to an increasing trend in the number of cases per 100,000 people in the area, and data from PHE and the JBC which suggests transmission among households is a key infection pathway in the area."

What does the lockdown actually entail?

It means people in these areas will not be able to mix with other households in private homes or gardens.

This means you cannot go to the house of someone else you do not live with.

You also cannot go in their garden.

Can I still meet indoors with people in my support bubble?

Yes. People who live alone or single parents with dependent children aged under 18 can continue to visit one other household and stay overnight.

They can also visit other public places as if they were one household.

-> This is the weekly coronavirus infection rate of every local authority area in YorkshireCan I visit people who live outside of the infected area?

No. The government guidance says that people living in Bradford, Calderdale or Kirklees, cannot meet in someone else’s home or garden even if they live outside of the affected areas.

Can I meet people in the pub, restaurants and shops?

People in the affected areas can still go to pubs and to restaurants.

However, two households will not be allowed to go together.

The guidance states that people should not "socialise with people you do not live with in other indoor public venues".

It specifies that "indoor public venues" are pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions.

The guidance warns people to avoid interaction with others.

What if I run a hospitality business?

The guidance states: "If you run such a business, you should take steps to ensure people do not interact with people they do not live with, in line with COVID-19 Secure guidance."

Can I still meet people outdoors?

You can meet people outdoors in groups of six people, in line with the current national guidance.

People are expected to socially distance.

-> Owners slam "unjust" decision to force Bradford gyms to close as others in lockdown areas remain openWhat businesses will have to close?

Some businesses will have to close by law in Bradford - but not in Kirklees or Calderdale.

- indoor gyms

- indoor fitness and dance studios

- indoor sports courts and facilities

- indoor swimming pools, including indoor facilities at water parks

Can I still go to work in this area?

Yes. People living inside and outside of this area can continue to travel in and out for work.

I live in this area. Can I still go to cafes, restaurants, the gym and other public places?

Yes. But you should only go with members of your own household – even if you are going outside of the restricted area.

I live in the area. Can people from outside of the lockdown area visit me at my house?

No. This will be illegal.

-> Leeds Council announces 'key actions' in Kirkstall, Harehills and surrounding areas with 'cluster' coronavirus casesCan I be fined for not following the rules?

Yes you can.

The government said that it will pass new laws to enforce the changes to meeting people in private homes and gardens.

The police will be able to take action against those that break these rules, including asking people to disperse and issuing fixed penalty notices (starting at £100 – halving to £50 if paid in the first 14 days – and doubling for subsequent offences).

Can I visit a care home?

You should not visit friends or family in care homes, other than in exceptional circumstances. Care homes should restrict visits to these circumstances.

How do I arrange childcare?

People can continue to use registered childcare provision, including childminders and holiday childcare providers.

People can also continue to employ nannies – see guidance on working safely in other people’s homes.

Friends or family who do not live with you cannot visit your home to help with childcare unless they are part of your support bubble.

The only people who can help you with childcare in your home are people you live with, people in your support bubble, or registered childcare providers including nannies.

Children of parents who are separated are allowed to move between households.

-> Government considers application for River Wharfe to receive 'bathing water status' in IlkleyCan I still have my wedding if it’s in the lockdown area?

Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies in these areas can still go ahead.

No more than 30 people should attend a marriage or civil partnership, where this can be safely accommodated with social distancing in a COVID-19 secure venue.

Large wedding receptions or parties should not currently be taking place and any celebration after the ceremony should follow the broader social distancing guidance of involving no more than two households in any location or, if outdoors, up to six people from different households.

Can I travel outside of the lockdown area to attend a wedding ceremony?

Yes.

Can I travel into the lockdown area to attend a wedding ceremony?

Yes. Weddings should be limited to no more than 30 people and subject to COVID-19 Secure guidelines.

People living outside the lockdown areas may travel into the areas to attend a wedding, but should not go into a private home or garden.

Can I still visit a place of worship in the lockdown area?

Yes, but you must socially distance from people outside of your household. This means maintaining a distance of 2 metres, or 1 metre with mitigations (e.g. face coverings). We recommend at this time that if possible prayer/religious services take place outdoors.

Can funerals still take place in the lockdown areas?

Yes. Funerals should be limited to no more than 30 people and subject to COVID-19 Secure guidelines.

People living outside the lockdown areas may travel into the areas to attend a funeral.

Can I holiday in the lockdown area, or visit shops, leisure facilities, or cafes in it?

Yes. However, you must avoid socialising with people indoors when doing so.

Can I travel in a car with someone I do not live with?

You should try not to share a vehicle with those outside your household or social bubble.

If you need to, try to:

- share the transport with the same people each time

- keep to small groups of people at any one time

- open windows for ventilation

- travel side by side or behind other people, rather than facing them, where seating arrangements allow face away from each other

- consider seating arrangements to maximise distance between people in the vehicle

- clean your car between journeys using standard cleaning products – make sure you clean door handles and other areas that people may touch

- ask the driver and passengers to wear a face covering

Can I move home?

Estate and letting agents as well as removals firms can continue to work and people looking to move home can continue to undertake viewings.

-> New mobile coronavirus testing units set up in Kirkstall and Fearnville leisure centresA message from the Editor: Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds. Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you

Laura Collins