Bradford Council statement on COVID-19 tougher national measures

This evening (Saturday 31 October) the Government has announced that England will be placed into tougher national measures that will come into effect on Thursday 5 November and last until 2 December.

The reason that England is being placed into tougher national measures is because of the rise in the rates of infection and hospital admissions from COVID-19.

The Prime Minister said that the restrictions would mean:

• All non-essential retail will close, including pubs, restaurants, entertainment venues and leisure facilities except for takeaways.
• People will only be able to leave their home for specific reasons including work, essential shopping, exercise and in case of emergencies.
• Other businesses including building and manufacturing will remain open provided they follow Government guidance.
• Early years, schools and further and higher education will remain open.
• There will be further restrictions on household mixing.
• There is a determination to keep the NHS open and #StillHereToHelp
• Vulnerable people are asked to minimise their contact with others.

The Prime Minister also stated that the details of the new measures will be published on Monday and subject to a vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

We will let people and businesses know how the new measures affect the Bradford District as soon as the Government publishes the full details of what they include.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “I asked the Secretary of State twice last week whether the country was going into national lockdown and was told firmly no. This latest Government announcement, coming only two days after the announcement that Bradford and West Yorkshire was to enter Tier 3 Very High restrictions, will understandably therefore be confusing for residents and businesses alike. All the Tier 3 regulations we briefed residents and businesses on, on Friday are now irrelevant and we must wait for fresh information from Government on Monday.

“Just a couple of days ago Government were impressing upon us, as Leaders in West Yorkshire, that the health emergency was very urgent. The new Tier 3 restrictions were therefore due to start Monday. Now we hear it’s going to be national restrictions from Thursday. If it was urgent on Thursday, it’s certainly urgent today and I would therefore make a plea to all residents and businesses to be extra careful from now on, don’t wait until Thursday to exercise extra caution.

“If you can stay at home do, stay apart from others, wash your hands and wear a face covering in indoor public spaces. The infection rate is extremely high and our hospitals are getting an increasing number of admissions.

“We are determined to work with our West Yorkshire partners to make sure we get the right support for our area so that we limit the damage these restrictions will cause for businesses and communities.

 “I want to repeat the plea that I made to our residents last week: to stay apart, wear a face covering indoors and wash your hands. And if you get COVID please self-isolate for the whole 10 days.”