Road map out of lockdown: Calderdale leader reacts to Boris Johnson's announcement

Following Boris Johnson’s statement in the House of Commons advising how lockdown will be eased across the country in the coming weeks and months, Calderdale Council is working through the implications for its services.

Leader of the Council, Coun Tim Swift, said: “Whilst the plan of action to enable a relaxation in COVID-19 lockdown restrictions is of course welcome news, it’s important we continue to approach the next phase in the response to the pandemic with care.

“COVID-19 rates in Calderdale are currently higher than the regional and national average and with high prevalence of the more contagious Kent variant in the borough, any relaxation of restrictions must be done so gradually and cautiously.”

Coun Swift said the first phase in the plan to ease lockdown begins with the wider reopening of schools from Monday, March 8.

Local schools have remained open throughout the recent lockdown period for vulnerable children and young people, and for the children of key workers, he said.

“I’d like to thank schools for their hard work and dedication in recent months, and local parents and carers for their commitment to home schooling and keeping their children safe.

“We know how important education is for young people and we’ll continue to work with schools to ensure that this wider reopening can be done so as safely as possible.

“This will include the continued use of Lateral Flow Testing within schools to identify the one in three people who have COVID-19 but don’t show symptoms, so we can support them to isolate and prevent them spreading the virus without realising,” said Coun Swift.

He said these rapid tests are also being offered to those who are unable to work from home, with details of how to do this available on the council’s website www.calderdale.gov.uk.

Coun Swift (Lab, Town) said the news that groups of up to six, or two households, will be able to meet outside from Monday, March 29, will be welcomed by those who are missing family and friends.

“However, it’s important to remember that we still need to be vigilant and to keep following social distancing rules to help save lives.

“We all need to continue to do everything we can to reduce the spread while we vaccinate the people that are most likely to have serious complications if they contract the virus,” he said.

Coun Swift said while the proposed route out of lockdown gives everyone all hope for a return to a sense of normality, there was no room for complacency and he urged people to be patient.