West Yorkshire lockdown: new rules and guidance for Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees explained

Parts of West Yorkshire have been placed under stricter lockdown measures.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

This is due to a spike in coronavirus cases in the areas of Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the measures at 9.15pm on Thursday, July 30.

They came into effect at midnight on Friday, July 31.

Parts of West Yorkshire have been placed under stricter lockdown measures.Parts of West Yorkshire have been placed under stricter lockdown measures.
Parts of West Yorkshire have been placed under stricter lockdown measures.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This is everything you need to know - note: This article will be updated throughout the day as more information is released.

Which areas are affected?

Bradford (Including Ilkley, Bradford Council has confirmed).

Calderdale

Kirklees

Why have these areas been put under lockdown?

They have been placed under lockdown due to a rise in confirmed Covid-19 cases.

The government said: "This is in response to an increasing trend in the number of cases per 100,000 people in the area, and data from PHE and the JBC which suggests transmission among households is a key infection pathway in the area."

What does the lockdown actually entail?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It means people in these areas will not be able to mix with other households in private homes or gardens.

This means you cannot go to the house of someone else you do not live with.

You also cannot go in their garden.

Can I still meet indoors with people in my support bubble?

Yes. People who live alone or single parents with dependent children aged under 18 can continue to visit one other household and stay overnight.

They can also visit other public places as if they were one household.

Read More
Leeds news LIVE: Leeds predicted to be hotter than Lisbon as temperatures reach ...
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

No. The government guidance says that people living in Bradford, Calderdale or Kirklees, cannot meet in someone else’s home or garden even if they live outside of the affected areas.

Can I meet people in the pub, restaurants and shops?

People in the affected areas can still go to pubs and to restaurants.

However, two households will not be allowed to go together.

The guidance states that people should not "socialise with people you do not live with in other indoor public venues".

It specifies that "indoor public venues" are pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions.

The guidance warns people to avoid interaction with others.

What if I run a hospitality business?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The guidance states: "If you run such a business, you should take steps to ensure people do not interact with people they do not live with, in line with COVID-19 Secure guidance."

Can I still meet people outdoors?

You can meet people outdoors in groups of six people, in line with the current national guidance.

People are expected to socially distance.

What businesses will have to close?

Some businesses will have to close by law in Bradford - but not in Kirklees or Calderdale.

- indoor gyms

- indoor fitness and dance studios

- indoor sports courts and facilities

- indoor swimming pools, including indoor facilities at water parks

Can I still go to work in this area?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Yes. People living inside and outside of this area can continue to travel in and out for work.

I live in this area. Can I still go to cafes, restaurants, the gym and other public places?

Yes. But you should only go with members of your own household – even if you are going outside of the restricted area.

I live in the area. Can people from outside of the lockdown area visit me at my house?

No. This will be illegal.

Can I be fined for not following the rules?

Yes you can.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The government said that it will pass new laws to enforce the changes to meeting people in private homes and gardens.

The police will be able to take action against those that break these rules, including asking people to disperse and issuing fixed penalty notices (starting at £100 – halving to £50 if paid in the first 14 days – and doubling for subsequent offences).

Can I still celebrate Eid with my family and friends?

The government guidance specifically mentions Eid Al Adha.

People are expected to not meet up with other households for the holiday.

It states: "Due to higher rates of infection, if you live in this area you should not host or visit friends and family in each other’s homes or gardens. It will shortly be illegal to do so, unless specific exemptions apply. You also should not meet friends and family in other venues – including restaurants or cafes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Up to two households, or six people from any number of households may meet outdoors (excluding people’s gardens) where there is a lower risk of infection. If you do so, you should still socially distance from those you do not live with, and avoid physical contact."

It adds: "For those preparing to celebrate Eid Al Adha this weekend with friends and family these restrictions will come as a blow but everyone is being urged to follow the new rules and to protect the ones they love from catching coronavirus."

The guidance sets out: "

Can I still go to the mosque for worship?

​The guidance states: "Mosques and other places of worship have reopened for prayer and communal worship, but in a different socially distanced and COVID-19 Secure way. This means that while mosques can remain open, many will not able to welcome as many worshippers as before."

Can I visit a care home?

You should not visit friends or family in care homes, other than in exceptional circumstances. Care homes should restrict visits to these circumstances.

Can I still have my wedding if it’s in the lockdown area?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies in these areas can still go ahead.

No more than 30 people should attend a marriage or civil partnership, where this can be safely accommodated with social distancing in a COVID-19 secure venue.

Large wedding receptions or parties should not currently be taking place and any celebration after the ceremony should follow the broader social distancing guidance of involving no more than two households in any location or, if outdoors, up to six people from different households.

Can I travel outside of the lockdown area to attend a wedding ceremony?

Yes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Can I travel into the lockdown area to attend a wedding ceremony?

Yes. Weddings should be limited to no more than 30 people and subject to COVID-19 Secure guidelines.

People living outside the lockdown areas may travel into the areas to attend a wedding, but should not go into a private home or garden.

Can I still visit a place of worship in the lockdown area?

Yes, but you must socially distance from people outside of your household. This means maintaining a distance of 2 metres, or 1 metre with mitigations (e.g. face coverings). We recommend at this time that if possible prayer/religious services take place outdoors.

Can funerals still take place in the lockdown areas?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Yes. Funerals should be limited to no more than 30 people and subject to COVID-19 Secure guidelines.

People living outside the lockdown areas may travel into the areas to attend a funeral.

Can I holiday in the lockdown area, or visit shops, leisure facilities, or cafes in it?

Yes. However, you must avoid socialising with people indoors when doing so.

Can I travel in a car with someone I do not live with?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

You should try not to share a vehicle with those outside your household or social bubble.

If you need to, try to:

- share the transport with the same people each time

- keep to small groups of people at any one time

- open windows for ventilation

- travel side by side or behind other people, rather than facing them, where seating arrangements allow face away from each other

- consider seating arrangements to maximise distance between people in the vehicle

- clean your car between journeys using standard cleaning products – make sure you clean door handles and other areas that people may touch

- ask the driver and passengers to wear a face covering

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A message from the Editor: Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds. Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you

Laura Collins