We are all going through a tough time at the moment. As new restrictions are imposed, please do be assured that I understand this will be deeply frustrating to many and I realise this will be difficult for many families and businesses.
The Government is constantly looking at the latest data on the spread of coronavirus and are working closely with Public Health England and Local Authorities who are responsible for local health decisions. Unfortunately there has been an increasing rate of transmission within the Bradford District Council area. This has predominantly been evidenced through household transmissions. The decision has therefore been taken by Bradford Councils Leader and Chief Executive in conjunction with their Director for Health and the government to re-impose some further restrictions to reduce the R rate and help control the spread of the virus.
For clarity, the latest restrictions which have now come into force relate to the whole of the Bradford District Council’s area. This includes the Keighley and Ilkley consistency.
From today, some regulations are being reintroduced in our area, enforced by local authorities and the police, in order to prevent the virus spreading further. If you live in the Bradford Council area, you must not have visitors to your home or garden. You can still go to public venues like pubs, restaurants and places of worship, but you must not meet people from outside your household or social bubble in these places.
There is guidance on certain businesses which will need to remain closed. Information on this can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/north-west-of-england-local-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do
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 in order to help stop the spread of the virus.
This afternoon I had a conference call with Matt Hancock in which I queried the decision that the whole of the constituency has been subject to further restrictions despite many parts of the constituency are showing a low re transmission rate. I have been assured that the situation will be closely monitored over the weeks ahead and a readjustment of the lockdown boundaries will be reviewed in conjunction with other authorities. The decision was taken to cast the net wide over the geographical area in which the further restrictions were applied with a view to reducing it if possible in the near future.
Please be reassured that the Government is keeping all the current restrictions, and any further action that might be required, under constant review and they will be relaxed if and when the evidence shows it is able to.
The full current guidance is here so please do keep an eye on this as it will be updated regularly: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/north-west-of-england-local-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do
Many thanks to all who have personally contacted me on this issue and I will get back to you directly as soon as I can.
