How Calderdale is reacting to the Government's changes to lockdown rules

The Council's Director of Public Health, Deborah Harkins, says this is still the single most important thing people can do to save lives.

But at the same time, in partnership with public, private and community sector organisations, the council is planning the local recovery and reset of how they will work to ensure a safe future for everyone, rebuilding Calderdale and its economy in the short, medium and long-term.

Ms Harkins said: "The risk to all of us from the coronavirus remains and we will be living with COVID-19 for some time to come.

"Our priority is to keep ourselves and our communities safe and those most at risk will need to continue to be shielded for the foreseeable future.

"As the lockdown continues I would urge everyone in Calderdale to stay at home whenever possible, to protect the NHS and our care homes and to save lives."

Ms Harkins said if people had to leave home for established reasons or if people have to go to work, they should follow the Government's advice for staying safe outside the home, which is detailed online.

Meanwhile, a new Calderdale Recovery Co-ordination Group met for the first time in early May and will develop an Inclusive Recovery Plan to support the most vulnerable people and businesses over the coming months and years.

It will bring together representatives including the council, emergency services, voluntary and community sector, business sector, the Environment Agency, utilities and the housing industry, working closely with the new West Yorkshire Economic Recovery Board, said Leader of Calderdale Council, Coun Tim Swift (Lab, Town).

"With the group in place, we can really focus on managing impacts and risks in the next few months and years.

"But we can also harness opportunities that have emerged from ground-breaking work we’ve seen in recent weeks to address long-standing problems," he said.

Key aspects of the recovery plan will include how to create safe spaces, transport, workplaces and communities.