Calderdale tier 2 restrictions: Region leaders deny talks with Government and say county should remain in tier 2

WEST Yorkshire remains in Tier 2 today, with local authroty leaders saying “there is not a case to move West Yorkshire to Tier 3 this week.”

Responding to the decision to maintain West Yorkshire’s Tier Two (High Risk) status, the Leaders of West Yorkshire Councils have issued the following statement:

“Government Ministers did not meet Leaders today. Local and national public health experts agree that there is not a case to move West Yorkshire to Tier Three this week. The decision to maintain Tier Two (High Risk) restrictions reflects the progress that has been made by councils, Public Health England, the NHS and other partners working together to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect lives.

“To further reduce the risk of increased restrictions becoming necessary, it remains essential that everyone in West Yorkshire plays their part by following the rules, particularly when it comes to instructions to self-isolate. And we need the Government’s support now for measures including local test and trace, deep engagement with our communities and financial help for those self-isolating.

“Tier Two status will continue to have an impact on our economy, particularly the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors and their associated supply chains which together employ more than 200,000 people. We urge the Government to respond to our proposals to protect businesses, jobs and incomes, and to support our plan for economic recovery including a package for people who have already lost their jobs to develop new skills.”

Greater Manchester was pushed into the measures yesterday, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he expected local leaders to work with Government, raising fears the rules may be imposed on Yorkshire too regardless of pleas for better financial support.

Calderdale Council leader Tim Swift is among those urging the Government to ‘take time’ to see if current COVID-19 restrictions are working before they consider raising West Yorkshire into tougher Tier 3 measures.

Since late last week there has been speculation that the Government is looking to put West Yorkshire authorities including Calderdale into the highest Tier 3 – very high – level, which brings with it extra restrictions including pubs and bars only allowed to remain open where they operate as if they were a restaurant, which means serving substantial meals.

Coun Swift said West Yorkshire’s council leaders were not now expecting a meeting today (Tuesday, October 20) and did not know when further meetings to discuss the position the region might be proposed.

They had set out their case and urged the Government to allow some time to see if the Tier 2 restrictions were working.

Coun Swift said expanding local contact trace and support was the likely means by which they would.