Police to deploy patrols on Saturday as Calderdale's nighttime economy reopens

A team of council marshals will support police for the coming weekends of reopening, reminding the public to maintain social distancing in busy areas as restaurants, pubs get the green light from Government to reopen.

Under Government’s current social distancing guidance, people enjoying the town’s bars and pubs must remain two metres apart from other householders.

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, Susan Press said: “It’s a great boost to the economy and our local independents that they can now start to cautiously reopen, if they feel confident to do so.

"However, Covid-19 hasn’t gone away and safety remains our priority, so we are supporting our local licensed premises to reopen in a way that protects their staff, customers and the wider community.”

Letters and social distancing signs have been sent to businesses and pavements have been widened where possible to provide more space for people to move safely.

Most venues in Halifax and the surrounding areas will be operating at a significantly reduced capacity, with bookings made online or on a first-come, first-served basis.

Perspex screens, table service, hand sanitiser stations and socially-distant tables are just some of the new measures expected at the town’s watering taverns – but live bands are not permitted.

There will be extra cleaning carried out on the city’s streets, particularly on objects being touched such as benches, bins and transport hubs.

A West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “We urge the public to remember the threat has not gone away. Social distancing is still necessary, with risks increasing significantly at less than the two-metre distance.

“We will be deploying the appropriate level of patrols to match the increased numbers, but this will essentially amount to business as usual. If and when issues do arise we have all the necessary resources in place to manage and respond to any eventuality.”