Kirklees Tier 3 restrictions: Leader not surprised with placement as borough has fifth highest Covid rate in country

Government has announced that Kirklees, alongside the rest of West Yorkshire, will be in Tier three restrictions from December 2 2020.

When National Lockdown ends the borough will go into Tier 3 restrictions - this is for areas with a very high or very rapidly rising level of infections, where tighter restrictions are in place.

In brief, Tier 3 means: No mixing indoors. People can only meet outdoors in limited places such as parks and public gardens in groups up to six. Hospitality including pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants must close, with the exception of takeaway sales.

In all tiers, non-essential shops, gyms, hairdressers and personal care services can open.

People in all tiers are being encouraged to work from home where they can do so.

Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council, said: “We’re turning a corner in Kirklees, with our infection rates dropping by 18 per cent this week but we know we still have a long way to go.

"We’re not surprised that the Government has announced Kirklees is in Tier three, with our rates currently the fifth highest in the country.

“We’ll follow the restrictions, as we always do, and will continue to do everything we can to prevent the spread of the virus in our communities.

"This will be supported by our ongoing work directly in communities, a local test and trace system which we’ll launch soon and we have cross-party support in Kirklees for mass COVID-19 testing to be rolled out.

“Our rates have dropped the last two weeks in a row, as well as hospital admissions and COVID-19-related deaths. We need to build on this to get out of Tier 3 as quickly as possible.

"My plea to residents is to play your part by following the Tier three restrictions as well as continuing to do the basics such as regular hand-washing, social distancing, wearing a face covering and self-isolating and getting tested if you have symptoms. If we all continue to play our part, we’ll get where we need to be.

“I’m pleased non-essential retailers can reopen from December 2, especially at such a crucial time of year. I’d like to urge everyone to shop safe and shop local this Christmas and support our businesses who need us now more than ever.

“There is something we cannot ignore, and that’s how devastating today’s announcement is for our hospitality sector.

"Pubs, bars, restaurants and others who cannot open under Tier 3 restrictions have gone above and beyond to keep their customers safe throughout this pandemic.

"I’m urging Government to think more creatively about these restrictions and about how it can support the sector and the supply chain that relies on it so they are not laying more misery on these businesses.”