Halifax MP fears restrictions will be in place for 'a few more weeks'

Ms Lynch told the Courier there were new “pockets of infection right across the borough in areas where we’ve not seen hotspots before.”

The Halifax Labour MP was speaking as the Government’s new Rule of Six was introduced, banning any social gathering of more than six people in England.

The Rule of Six comes on top of the local restrictions already in force in Halifax which mean people can’t meet others from a different household.

Ms Lynch said that with cases rising across the country she believed the local restrictions for Halifax would remain in place for a few weeks.

“The infection rate has started to go in the wrong direction in many parts of the country and we are seeing pockets of infection across the borough in areas where we’ve not seen hotspots before,” she said.

Ms Lynch described the local restrictions and the Rule of Six as “blunt instruments” but added: “Given that we have sadly seen both local and national infections significantly increase in the last few days, I recognise that these may be tools which the Health Secretary wishes to remain in place until the infections start to come back down.

“I know people are feeling a sense of fatigue with the situation and there is nothing harder than not being able to see loved ones but please adhere to the public health guidelines which will keep us safe.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Tuesday that she wouldn’t hesitate to report neighbours who flouted the Rule of Six.

Ms Lynch urged people to stand together and added: “We don’t need any more divisive rhetoric pitting people and communities against each other from the Government.

“Please take the guidelines seriously and there will be no need to report neighbours if everyone works together."

Local restrictions tend to be reviewed by the Government every week. Calderdale Council has already asked for them to be lifted in Halifax.