Coronavirus updates – Kirklees
We are continuing to work closely with Public Health England to minimise the risk of coronavirus to the public in Kirklees
Please see the NHS website for the latest information about Coronavirus.
Good hygiene is the very best prevention. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
How to help safely:
You should only leave the house for one of four reasons, and one of these is to provide care or to help a vulnerable person. Even when you are doing this, you need to do so safely. Read Coronavirus: How to help safely for full guidance from the Government.
Stay at home
From now on, the message is clear – stay at home unless you need to leave for:
- Essential shopping
- To exercise once a day, whether this is a run, a walk or a bike ride
- For medical need
- To help others
- Travel to and from work, but only if necessary
School closures:
See our response to the Government’s decision to close schools from 20 March 2020.
If you have concerns about access to either school places or childcare, just fill out a Covid-19 education and childcare enquiry form and we’ll be in touch to help.
Please only use this service if you have a vulnerable child or you’re classed as a key worker (also referred to as critical workers) and have already contacted your school or childcare provider.
Community pack:
We’ve put together a pack to support you and your community during the
ongoing outbreak of Coronavirus.
We’ve also put together a list of ways you can help in your community.
Businesses:
The Government has announced a package of financial and other measures to help manage impacts on businesses, including business rates reliefs, statutory sick pay reliefs, small business grants and loans.
Symptoms:
- a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
- a new, continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly
Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home.
How long to stay at home:
- if you have symptoms, stay at home for 7 days
- if you live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got symptoms
If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days.
Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council, said:
“I really want to reassure people that we’re working very closely with Public Health England to keep the risk to people in Kirklees as low as possible.
“This is completely unprecedented circumstances for everyone and all we can do as a local authority is follow the guidance from Government and make decisions locally that we believe best protect people, their communities, families and loved ones.
“The biggest strength we have in Kirklees is our togetherness and I urge local people to look out for each other the best you can. If you are fit and able, offer help to those who need it. My promise to residents is that we will do all we can to make this period as easy and as manageable as we possibly can for you.”
More information
- Coronavirus: latest information and advice
- Coronavirus overview
- You can also phone NHS 111 for advice.
- You can also visit our website.
I recently visited the Eye Pharmacy at Ravensthorpe retail park. On entering the store I saw many glasses on display on carousels and display boards. I was not approached by staff or asked if I needed any help. Beyond the glasses display area was a table and beyond this the pharmacy. As I wanted to try on the glasses I asked one of the pharmacy team if the glasses had been sanitised. I was advised that they hadn’t. I was shocked and said, they need to be, there is a risk of catching the virus from someone who is infected trying on the glasses. The reply was that Opticals were not their responsibility and that area of the shop was not open anyway. Their was no notice advising customers that the optical area of the store was closed or that glasses must not be tried on. I believe that all the glasses should be immediately removed from display to avoid the risk of contamination.
Furthermore, I find it inconceivable that a team of health professionals would take such an irresponsible, dismissive and potentially dangerous attitude given the current pandemic.
I have just been watching the Goverment covid update on BBC. Kirklees outbreaks have been mentioned 3 times by Matt Hancock, yet nothing on the Council website. This information should be communicated publically so people can avoid specific areas where the outbreak is.
Hello Liz, we released a statement yesterday on this subject. Please see the article – https://kirkleestogether.co.uk/2020/05/20/we-are-standing-shoulder-to-shoulder-with-schools-over-reopening-plans/ ^cp
Hi am trying to find out if there is a Kirklees wide response to the suggestion reception, year 1 and year 6 students may return to school at the earliest 1st June as well as a Kirklees wide response to the return of nursery children. I am confused over what to think given that some Local authorities and the Head teacher for the school my daughter goes to are saying categorically that they think its too early to be sending them back. My understanding that some Local Authorities are saying its too early as their infection rates are still going up? Is this the case for Kirklees? Have Kirklees given the schools in Kirklees any direction as to how to proceed either backing Central Governments plans or disagreeing with these plans?
Hi Julia, parking is still being charged in council car parks. All the best and stay safe ^CP
Hello,
Could you confirm that all offices in the Empire house in dewsbury are closed?
Hi John, I am sorry to hear this. We don’t want any of our residents to feel isolated and abandoned can you please send me your contact details, full name and full address to communications@kirklees.gov.uk I will pass them onto someone to contact you as soon as possible. All the best ^CP
I am 66 I have heart failure and vascular disease also asthma and copd work related these ailments combined leave me very breathless. I have not left my house since Jan for fear of covid 19, I have had no notification that im vunerable or at risk. I registered at gov.org and the government page instructed people who think they are at risk to contact their gp so i did.My gp sent a text message stating that government hasnt confirmed criteria yet. I also suffer complex ptsd from my time spent in active service that wasnt dealt with for many years. I have no support I have spent 10 weeks over with next to no contact and I am unable to get delivery slots for food or essentials.my gp is not seeing patients only by phone they cant take my blood pressure or oxygen sats.I get the feeling of being abandoned at this present time to say my anxiety is bad would be an understatement the future looks quite bleak to me at the moment. I fear there are many like myself in this situation that feel forgoten expendable.My health conditions are serious and debilitating I an prone to infections some of which needed hospital treatment. So my question is does the government consider people like me as vunerable and in need of help and will the government look urgently at this because I dont think im the only one being overlooked my heart department considers me as being at high risk especially taking into account my other serious long term illnesses. If I go out i could well die my food wont last forever its quiete worrying.I look forward to your reply be safe kind regards john..
Hi Lynda, Sorry to hear you are having issues with your local shop. The local contact number for the sainsburys showerhead store is 01484 429277. They should be able to help you. if not the head office number is 020 7695 6000 as an alternative. All the best ^ CP
I am 70 with no medical conditions but my mother will be 93 in May (hopefully) For years I have shopped at Sainsburys Shorehead Every Thursday for the last 6 years I have also shopped for my mother I have never used online shopping I have tried every way possible to register for online shopping as my mother can’t. I eventually got through by phone to attempt to register and was asked my date of birth but I didn’t lie and say I had underlying health problems as I was using my nectar card to register (my mother doesn’t have one)I was speaking to a recording. At the end of the call I was told I would receive an SMS message to enable me to register 3 days later I am still waiting. I tried to register on line at Sainsburys and although I am 70 I was told I couldn’t cos their details didn’t concur – despite having my DOB My niece who used to do an online shop for her at ASDA every 6 weeks has been trying to get a slot for her for 2 weeks to no avail. I would love someone to tell me how I can actually speak to a person to explain this situation Sainsburys Chatline is off line Thankyou
Hi Mojtaba, businesses in Kirklees who qualify for one of the Government’s coronaviruses Small Business Grant Fund or the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund will receive a letter this week from the council and can now complete an online form to ensure swift payment. For more information you can visit: https://bit.ly/2ykPTAF Kind Regards ^ CP
I have a takeaway in Huddersfield,we have delivery service every night as far as I know we have to stay open until we were told to close the shop,my question is, am l entitle to get grant money or loan from government? if I am, do I have to pay it back or not.please let me know. Thank you.
Hi Nikki, we are contacting all social care staff who work in the community to keep them updated on advice as it comes from government and Public Health England. If you have any specific concerns please contact your line manager who should be able to offer further advice and support. Kind Regards ^CP
Hi please can you advise if parking near st Georges street car park is free? I need to get to work and have been paying the £4.00 daily fee. I usually park in the car park there but it looks closed. Thank you
Hi George, Our Environmental Health team will take the lead on enforcing the current and any future legislation in relation to premises which should remain closed at this time. Companies are allowed to register to carry out a takeaway service. Some may include collection. However, those companies need to ensure they are following government guidelines. We have just updated an article on our work with the police to ensure compliance with government regulation. You can read more here: https://bit.ly/2vY4UaL Kind Regards ^CP
Hi Fran, our Allotments remain open for people to take daily exercise, people using them must follow the advice below:
Daily exercise does not mean spending the whole day on your plot – it is recommended that you visit for a short period of time.
● If you are self-isolating then it is important that you do not go to the allotment at all
● Visit the plot on your own or with people who live in your house, not with friends
● Use hand sanitiser or gloves before opening and closing any gates and handling padlocks
● Wear disposable gloves and change them regularly
● Keep hand sanitiser in your shed and clean your hands regularly
● Do not wash your hands in water troughs/barrels
● Observe Social Distancing keep 2 metres apart from other people
● Please do not enter anyone else’s plot, even if you have had prior permission
● Do not share tools and wipe your own tools down after use
● Minimise the contact with each other for example no handshakes
All communal facilities, where there are any, are closed, including any toilets.
Kind Regards ^CP
Hi Andrew, to be able to answer your question can you tell me where it is you work or what you do? Kind Regards ^CP
Hi Nat, If you fall under the high-risk category due to your asthma you should by now have received a letter from your GP. If you haven’t and feel you fall into one of the categories of extremely vulnerable people you should discuss your concerns with your GP or hospital clinician. More details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19 If you have received a letter, you should work from home unless it is impossible for you to do so. If this is not possible then you need to speak to your employer. Details of the 80% scheme and whether or not you are eligible can found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme, Kind Regards ^CP
Hi Nat, there is guidance on furlough and sick pay on the national government website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme. It will also be worth speaking to your employer about your personal circumstances and what that means for you. Kind Regards ^CP
Wiltshire Council are now announcing that they are going to allow changes to council tax payments for the year so that the two free months can be April and May this year, rather than February and March next year, so the ten payment months are June to March. As a private renter who has had to take a pay cut (and is unlikely to see any rent cut/holiday from my landlord) this would be very helpful under current circumstances.
Is this something kirklees can look at emulating?
Hi Dianne, the council’s markets in Huddersfield, Dewsbury, and Cleckheaton will be open on their regular markets days to provide local people with access to much needed essential supplies, specifically fresh food products such as fruit & veg, meat, fish, bread and dairy products. King Regards^ CP
Hi, thanks.
I am in a situation where I have an underlying health issue and classed as Vulnerable. I am Furloughed this month BUT the advice out there is 12 weeks off.
Does my employer HAVE to put me through Furlough again for the remaining 8 weeks or do I have to get a note from Drs for Sick?
Cant find clear information on this anywhere 🙁
Hi Lynne, please can you email the bereavement services team with your query via bereavement.services@kirklees.gov.uk they will be able to give you the most up to date guidance. Kind Regards ^CP
Hi Richard, we are currently emptying all bins as normal. Due to some planned operational changes, the bin reminders have been paused. If you are unsure which bin is due to be emptied this week please check online. https://bit.ly/2QSEkab King Regards ^CP
Hi Gary, thank you for following the guidance. Please contact the team directly on 01484 414900. They will be able to answer your query. Kind Regards CP
Hi Andrew, please can you send your enquiry to the Kirklees Business team on business.enquiries@kirklees.gov.uk and someone from the team will be in touch to help you with your query. Kind Regards ^ CP
When are we going to see the form for a grant for small business? Ifit coming by post I haven’t seen a postman all week, other councils are now paying out, but we haven’t even seen the application form!
Both my dad and the wife’s aunt and uncle both have council tax due april. They are isolated,purely due to their agegroup. We are now doing their shopping for them etc, as per the rules. Where will be able to accept their council tax payments from us please? (Or advise accordingly. Thanks.)
Hi I live on Manchester Rd, Linthwaite. There has been no bin collection on the 26th is this still likely to happen or should I bring my bins back in ?
How will you be letting Social Care staff know as those out in the community do not have an email address, Thanks.
Hi
Does anybody have an idea if you are under the high risk category (I have Asthma) if you are advised to have 12 weeks off work under self isolation ?
Also If this is the case has your employer got to abide by this and you get the 80% scheme for the 12 weeks?
Thanks
Hi Louise, we understand your worries and we remain committed to preventing homelessness and helping to protect people from poverty, and as such we are currently working on our wider community support offer which we will be announcing in the next week. We can, however, reassure you that no tenants will be evicted as a direct result of Coronavirus (Covid-19). We have recently published an article with more information for private and council tenants regarding rent. The article can be found here: https://kirkleestogether.co.uk/2020/03/20/worried-about-paying-your-rent-support-for-tenants/ If you are struggling to pay your council tax then please get in touch: https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/council-tax/debt-advice.aspx Kind regards ^EMT
Hi Glynn, we understand your worries and we remain committed to preventing homelessness and helping to protect people from poverty, and as such we are currently working on our wider community support offer which we will be announcing in the next week. We can, however, reassure you that no tenants will be evicted as a direct result of Coronavirus (Covid-19). We have recently published an article with more information for private and council tenants regarding rent. The article can be found here: https://kirkleestogether.co.uk/2020/03/20/worried-about-paying-your-rent-support-for-tenants/ If you are struggling to pay your council tax then please get in touch: https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/council-tax/debt-advice.aspx Kind regards ^EMT
Hi Rachel, for information and advice this website may be helpful: https://hoa.org.uk/2020/03/buying-home-coronavirus/ Kind regards ^EMT
Hi Amar, we are working with our partner agencies in the emergency services to make sure that any of their staff who need access to parking, on street and in council car parks, know how to access this for free. Kind regards ^EMT
Hi Nat, thank you for your enquiry. As detailed on our website we will be writing to all businesses by the end of this week with further information about the Government grants. We expect to make payments as soon as possible in early April when funding becomes available from Government. More information can be found here: http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/coronavirusbusiness. If you have any further questions please email business.enquiries@kirklees.gov.uk Kind regards ^EMT
Hi Jonathan, thank you for getting in touch. Please see the official advice for office workers from the Government here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others#going-to-work
If you have any further questions please email: business.enquiries@kirklees.gov.uk Kind regards ^EMT
Hi Chris, in line with government guidance, the council have kept parks and open spaces open to allow people to exercise at a safe distance from each other. We have however closed play areas, courts, bowling greens, skate parks within the parks to discourage people from touching equipment, and gathering in groups. If people continue to act irresponsibly by meeting with people from outside their household, and not keeping 2M apart when exercising then we may have to close these spaces. Kind regards ^EMT
Hi Richard, we are currently emptying all bins as normal. Due to some planned operational changes, the bin reminders have been paused. If you are unsure which bin is due to be emptied this week please check online: https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/your-property-bins-recycling/your-bins/?KDUser=nonKDqueryingApp=binManagement&transaction=bin-collection-dates Kind regards ^EMT
Hi Dee, we are currently emptying all bins as normal. Due to some planned operational changes, the bin reminders have been paused. If you are unsure which bin is due to be emptied this week please check online: https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/your-property-bins-recycling/your-bins/?KDUser=nonKDqueryingApp=binManagement&transaction=bin-collection-dates Kind regards ^EMT
Leeds Council have announced that their car parks and on-street parking will be free
“Council-run car parks and on-street parking bays in Leeds will be free to use from today in light of the Corina pandemic. Parking charges for all Leeds City Council car parks and on-street car parking will be suspended until further notice, with priority given to NHS and social work staff and other key workers.”
Will Kirkless Council do the same?
We are in work but all of our disabled clients have been told we are closed. The council expect us to continue coming to work even though it is not essential. Should we be here and should the council pay us to be off?
Please explain how takeaways not offering delivery, and providing collection only are classed as essential services ? A takeaway is classed as a luxury not an essential.
This is clearly placing staff and customers at risk.
All takeaways offering collection only need shutting down NOW, and a deep clean before allowed to reopen after this is over.
with every person being told to stay at home and only go out if absolutely necessary. can you tell me why greenhead park hasnt been locked up and why people were acting like it was a holiday??
There’s been little to no mention of what office workers should do. I work in a small office in Dewsbury, and there’s often far less than 2 metres between the 6 of us. I work in the service industry and my work can’t be done from home. What should I do? Go to work or stay at home?
Hi George, thanks for getting in touch, you need to speak to your landlord first if you have a change in your income, there is more info on the government page https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-support-for-employees-benefit-claimants-and-businesses
What about help with rent due to not being able to work?
Are kirklees council going to help with rent for council tenants, i am the only earner in the family and my workplace has been shut due to the coronavirus outbreak, now i am worried that i wont be able to pay my rent
Hi Kirklees
I can’t find anywhere on your website whether bin collections are.being made. I have conflicting information. One family members says yes another says no
As we have a lot of wastage from.clinical supplies and are assisted bin collections are there any alternative arrangements being for people like me
I know having your bins emptied is not a life or death situation…I’m merely asking so I know if I have to store extra bags somewhere