Local restrictions to return for the whole of Kirklees
The Government has announced that local restrictions will return for the whole of Kirklees next week, with rates of COVID-19 infection continuing to increase.
Like many other areas in the country, Kirklees has seen a significant rise in rates over the last seven days. In the past week, 72.71 per 100,000 people in Kirklees tested positive for COVID-19, compared to last week when it was 37.8 per 100,000.
The Government has today announced that the whole of Kirklees, from Tuesday 22 September, will return to being under the local restrictions originally introduced on 30 July.
This means that, in addition to the national restrictions, in Kirklees you cannot:
- meet or host people you do not live with in private homes or gardens unless they are in your support bubble. There is a list of exemptions on the Government’s website.
In addition to these restrictions, the Government advises that you should not:
- socialise with people you do not live with, unless they’re in your support bubble, in any public venue. This applies to inside and outside of the affected areas. Examples of public venues include pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions and parks.
- visit friends or family in care homes, other than in exceptional circumstances. Care homes should restrict visits to these circumstances
These restrictions have remained in place in Dewsbury and Batley since 30 July but were lifted for the rest of Kirklees on 2 September. You can read more on restrictions in Kirklees on Kirklees Council’s website.
Kirklees’ Outbreak Control Board has written to the Government to ask for more clarity on how the decision has been made and what needs to do be done for the restrictions to be lifted.
As well as good hand hygiene and social distancing, getting a test if you have symptoms is one of the most important ways you can help beat the virus. Read more on testing in Kirklees and find out how to get tested at your local testing centre.
Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council, said: “I know how difficult this news will be to hear. It’s an incredibly tough sacrifice to have to make.
‘’Since the restrictions were first introduced in July, I have said we will work in partnership with Government and have continuously asked for the rationale on how they make these decisions.
“We’re also concerned that frequent changes in restrictions could have a serious impact on the effectiveness of them, but also people’s mental health. A better understanding of how data is interpreted could help us prevent this in the future.
“In order for us to tackle this in the most effective and joined up way, we need to know more about how these decisions, which have a huge impact on the lives and livelihoods of our residents, are made.
“That’s why Kirklees’ Outbreak Control Board has written to the Government to ask them to reconsider this decision, and share with us the rationale for the extra restrictions the whole of Kirklees is now under.
“A more open discussion on the way data is interpreted and how the decisions on local restrictions are made, will help us target our activity and resources so we can get our freedoms back as soon as possible.
“We’re looking forward to continuing to work well with Government, as we have done throughout the pandemic, so we can keep people safe and get our freedoms back.
“The best way of preventing the spread of COVID-19 is still to social distance, wear a face mask in enclosed spaces and wash your hands regularly.”
You can stay up to date with rates of positive cases, which areas the cases are in, how Kirklees compares to neighbouring areas and the rest of the country and more by viewing the council’s new dashboard.
Hi Lynn, we are actively carrying out Kirklees wide campaigns reinforcing government guidelines to all residents through our various channels, additionally we are working directly with communities and residents providing support, guidance and clarity where possible. Current guidelines on those who are more at risk of coronavirus and living in a tier 2 – high level area can be found on the government website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-high?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae#protecting-people-more-at-risk-from-coronavirus Thanks ^EMT
Hi Stuart. I am sorry to hear that you don’t feel safe. All we can ask is that you continue to follow the guidance and set an example for others. The government isn’t saying that shielding is required however it is important that you continue to take precautions. In regards to your employer can you please email Covid-Secure.Enquiries@kirklees.gov.uk with inflation about the workplace, who your employers are and the team will look into this. Stay safe ^CP
Hi Nick, government guidelines state people can still come inside your home for the purposes of education or training. Guidance on working safely can be found here: http://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/homes thanks ^EMT
Hi Chris, government guidelines state you can still go on holiday outside of your area, but you should only do this with people you live with (or have formed a support bubble with). You can read more about the local restrictions and support and childcare bubbles here: http://www.gov.uk/guidance/west-yorkshire-local-restrictions, thanks ^EMT
Hi Jeff, according to the government website your bowling fixtures should be fine to go ahead. You can read about organised team sports and the guidelines on this web page: http://www.gov.uk/guidance/west-yorkshire-local-restrictions, thanks ^EMT
The doctrine “hands, face, space” is not being adhered to or enforced by the company I work for, although they have the stickers. The GOV would believe and my company would say it is “COVID SAFE”. I don’t feel safe at all. Because of a low IQ population believing this to be a Haux or at worst a bit of flu and in total ignorance openly ignoring the advice, what grounds do I have to shield again when I don’t feel people are looking out for me or themselves?
Hi Dan, the Government advises that you should not socialise with people you do not live with, unless they are in your support bubble, in any public venue. This applies to inside and outside of Kirklees. Examples of public venues include pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions and parks. Kind regards ^CP
Hi Jean, The Government is not currently advising that you need to shield if you are clinically extremely vulnerable, however, it is important that you continue to take precautions. ^CP
Hi Dan, Examples of public venues include pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions and parks. Kind regards ^CP
Hi David, you currently can’t visit your partners home under the new restrictions. However, if you or your partner aren’t already in a support bubble then you could consider forming one. Kind regards ^CP
What are you and the government doing PROACTIVELY to reduce the rates . We have been ‘shielding’ now since March and the only respite was seeing our children and grandchild in our garden through glass . This is just getting to be beyond us now . We are doing all we can but others aren’t or are there other reasons for this spread ?. I would like to see more action on yours and the governments part to improve these figures – why are these lockdowns not working?
Hi Phillip, Please see the guidance on travelling safely with others on the government website – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/west-yorkshire-local-restrictions I hope this helps ^CP
Hi Laura, we are currently following the government guidance on shielding in areas with local restrictions – please see the national guidance https://www.gov.uk/guidance/west-yorkshire-local-restrictions this is also reflected on our own COVID webpages. Kind regards ^CP
Hi David, at the moment you cant visit your partners home under the new restrictions unless you are in a support bubble. However, If you both aren’t already in a support bubble with anyone else then you may be able to form one. Kind regards ^CP
Boris Johnson stated in his House of Commons statement on Wednesday that those people previously required to shield did not have to return to this at the moment unless in an area of local lockdown. I note from the government website that thus has remained the advice throughout the time of shielding being paused. Could you please tell me why Kirkless Council are not following through with this advice? It leads to mixed signals and therefore those of us whom are are extremelly vulnerable being left confused. Surely if the Prime Minister, Goverment website and NHS website state this Kirkless Council should be complying? Considering the high risk in this area it appears the most sensible to protect community members. Many thanks.
Does this mean I would not be able to take a coach tour out of West Yorkshire?
Are cannot and should not the same or different?
Hi Anon, the Government advises that you should not socialise with people you do not live with, unless they are in your support bubble, in any public venue. Kind regards ^CP
Hi Kevin, you can go on holiday and travel out of the area but only with those in your household or support bubble. Kind regards ^CP
1) We are going for a break to Brid wife and 2 Dogs can we still go
2) Getting a new puppy at Chester Le Street c an we still go?
We are due to start the Winter Bowling League fixture programme next Tuesday at two Huddersfield bowling greens. The season has weekly fixtures and lasts until the end of February. No more than 30 people will be at either venue.
Approval has been given by the national body following a submitted full Risk Assessment including adherence to the Track & Trace and 30-people limit requirements.
There is confusion generated by the return of the local lockdown and the new rulings issued by the Government yesterday as to if we can go ahead. The exemptions for organised sports was clear before but not so clear now. Can you advise please.
Hi Janine, If you are clinically extremely vulnerable we are not currently advising that you need to shield, however, it is important that you continue to take precautions. Find out more from the Governments guidance – 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 Kind regards ^CP
I was shielding before, do I need to shield again?
Thanks
Please can you clarify the rules regarding social distancing and the new local restrictions.
The latest government guidance date 22 September states “You also do not need to socially distance from someone you’re in an established relationship with”
Does this mean I can still visit my partners home under the new restrictions?
Please can you clarify the rule regarding social distancing.
Under the current rules it says “You also do not need to socially distance from someone you’re in an established relationship with”
Does this mean I can still visit my partners home with the new local restrictions ?
During the last local lockdown we could meet in the outdoor seating areas of pubs and cafes with people we did not live with in groups of up to six. Can we do this now?
Our family, 3 households, but only 6 people, are due to go to Centre Parcs sharing one house there. Can we still go?
Does public venues include outdoor venues?
Hi James, yes, this is still ok. Providing the guidance is followed: https://gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/homes Thanks ^EMT
Hi Reg, the government has issued an exemption to the new restrictions which enables people to look after children under 14 and vulnerable adults. This for example allows grandparents to look after their grandchildren. You can read about it in this BBC article http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-54240681, thanks ^EMT
Do the clinically extremely vulnerable have to resume shielding from 22 September?
I am a self employed guitar teacher based in Birkenshaw. I have a dedicated room for the lessons. I use an Infrared Thermometer as the pupil enters, hand gel is then used and I am able to conduct the lesson with a two metre distance. Am I allowed to continue my business ?
Many thanks, only 2 of us and the dog, but thank you for getting back
Hi Sheila, you can still go on holiday outside of your area, but you should only do this with people you live with or have formed a support bubble with. For further information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/west-yorkshire-local-restrictions Kind regards ^EMT
the country needs to get back to normal stop saying work from home if you can think of the revenue all the food shops are loosing by people working from home Huddersfield is like a ghost town
Take this to the government..i can assure you im speaking for a lot of people on Facebook who are absolutely so fed up with all this now, its depressing and causing so much anguish. The public call for restrictions to be lifted, the masks to be binned and to create a herd immunity. This is the only sure way to get rid of this, just like we do for colds and flu. Give the choice back to the people. Those who are vulnerable should take it upon themselves to take extra precautions and maybe stay at gome if they feel the need to but fgs let everyone else get on with their lives
My son and his wife are both Key workers. They has 2 children 9&5 and we take them to school and collect them as and when required due to shift patterns.
Under the new local lockdown can we still do this?
Will someone please explain the logic in allowing shop workers, who mingle with the general public, to choose not to wear face covering
Besides remaining socially distanced, are there more restrictions for meeting people outside in public parks?
6 paragraphs moaning about the government only 1 as an afterthought about keeping safe.
Balance is wrong way round yet again. PHE statement is better.
Thank you xx
You refer to the restrictions introduced on 30th July who can remember exactly what they were
Would it be more helpful to list them rather than refer back to them
This pan-borough decision is unacceptable without further data reasoning across all the council wards. We do not pay Council Tax to Kirklees Council to be lumped together as a homogeneous group for the purpose of easing a government decision. Many more people will inevitably choose to ignore this edict now.
Are the restrictions to be upheld by police? If not they will not work. Start looking at supermarkets!!!!
Can I still have tradesmen in my home to carry out scheduled work, e.g. fitting a new bathroom??
Seems ludicrous that you can still go to pubs etc sit 2 meters apart with total strangers of all ages but can’t sit in a garden 2 meters apart with people you know and are in a low risk sector of our society because they’ve obeyed the rules
Can I go on holiday in this country?
What a flip flop
This is now just broken down into a, farce!