Calderdale's Covid-19 restrictions will continue, Government confirms

The measures were announced two weeks ago to urgently tackle an increase in COVID-19 cases in these areas.

Calderdale Council's chief executive Robin Tuddenham said the latest surveillance report out by Public Health England showed a small decrease in the seven day rate from last week but the borough still remains high risk,

Minister for Health Edward Argar said: “I’d like to thank everyone in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, East Lancashire and Leicester for their continued patience in following these vital rules put in place to tackle the spread of the disease – I know it hasn’t been easy.

“We will review the measures again next week as part of our ongoing surveillance and monitoring of the latest data.

“It is essential we all remain vigilant, and I urge everyone in these areas to continue to follow the rules - wash your hands regularly, follow social distancing, get yourself a free test as soon as you get any symptoms, and isolate if NHS Test and Trace tells you to.”

The ban on indoor gathering continues to apply to:

Greater Manchester:

- City of Manchester

- Trafford

- Stockport

- Oldham

- Bury

- Wigan

- Bolton

- Tameside

- Rochdale

- Salford

Lancashire:

- Blackburn with Darwen

- Burnley

- Hyndburn

- Pendle

- Rossendale

- Preston

- West Yorkshire:

- Bradford

- Calderdale

- Kirklees

- Leicester

This means that people in these areas will continue to not be permitted to mix with other households (apart from those in their support bubble) within private homes or gardens.

People are still able to meet others in groups up to six individuals, or two households, in outdoor public places.

Pools, indoor gyms and other leisure facilities as well as nail bars, spas and beauty salons will continue to remain closed in Bradford and Blackburn and Leicester.

Shielding will also continue for individuals in Blackburn with Darwen, and Leicester City.

The national easing of restrictions planned tomorrow around the reopening of venues including casinos, bowling alleys and conference halls will not apply to Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, East Lancashire or Leicester.

The latest data for Leicester shows that infection rates have declined thanks to the efforts of the local area, so a further review is being carried out and an update will be given early next week. In the meantime the current restrictions will remain in place.

PHE’s weekly surveillance report includes changes to the watch list of Local Authority areas with higher than average incidences of COVID-19. The changes are:

Newark and Sherwood added as ‘Areas of Concern’

Eden is being removed thanks to a drop in cases

Anyone with any symptoms must isolate immediately and get a test for free by going online or ringing 119. Everyone must continue to socially distance and regularly wash their hands to help bring this virus down further so all areas can return to normal as soon as possible.