Bradford MPs, councillors and business community react to Covid-19 restrictions staying in force

MPs, councillors and key community and business figures have spoken of how the restrictions are affecting the district's residents and its economy, but insist that the only way to see "the light at the end of the tunnel" is to work "collectively" and avoid being "complacent."

Just over two weeks ago, new measures were introduced in Bradford, as well as in other northern cities and towns, in order to tackle an increase in Covid-19 rates of infection.

The restrictions mean people in the Bradford district are not allowed to mix with other households in private homes or gardens, while they have also caused some businesses in the area to close.

Yesterday afternoon, the Department of Health and Social Care announced that, in the affected areas, the restrictions would remain in place for the time being.

Judith Cummins, Labour MP for Bradford South, has acknowledged that the news may be hard to take, but believes that it is a necessary step in order to keep the district safe.

"I know many people and local business owners will be extremely disappointed about the continuing restrictions in Bradford and the news that many businesses will not be able to re-open tomorrow as planned", she said.

"However, it is vital that we all continue to follow these rules in order to bring down the rate of infection locally, keep people safe, and ultimately save lives.

"I also firmly believe that the Government must do more to support individuals and businesses who are suffering financially, through no fault of their own.

"I have repeatedly called for more business grants, a flexible local furlough scheme and other measures to support people to do the right thing. I say again to the Government, you cannot have effective public health measures without the economic package to back them up.

"I am also awaiting clarification from the Government on exactly how and when Bradford will be able to come out of these additional restrictions.  

"As always, I urge everyone in Bradford to follow the public health rules and if you develop symptoms get a test straight away."

Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West, echoed her views on the issue, adding that the district cannot get "complacent".

"I think the fact that the restrictions are to remain in force makes it clear that we all need to do more to get this under control", she said.

"Whilst it is going to be difficult, we have to make sure that we all do what we can, in order to get ahead of this disease.

"It is going to exasperate people and it is certainly going to create an even further impact on businesses, and we must continue to lobby the Government for financial assistance for those businesses who cannot open.

"I would encourage everyone in Bradford to please listen to the Government advice, because if we don’t get ahead of this virus and keep the rate of infection down, this could continue further and harm us even more.

"This virus harms us in more ways than one – it is risking people’s lives and it is also risking and harming the local economy.

"Our primary concern has to be loss of life and ill health, however, so we must continue to adhere to the Government guidelines.

"We can’t be complacent about this virus and we have to follow all the rules."

Trevor Higgins, the Chief Executive of Bradford Breakthrough, explained how the restrictions have been affecting businesses in the district, particularly in Bradford city centre.

"These restrictions are very tough for businesses in the Bradford district", he said.

"I know that Mark Cowgill, who is the founder of Bradford-based internet service provider Exa Networks, has said that the knock-on impact of these restrictions are significant – he was due to open his business this coming Monday, but is now going to continue working from home for a couple of weeks, into September.

"One of the issues Mark said he has is the knock-on effect of these restrictions on staff confidence, when it comes to returning to the office.

"Even though he has taken all the precautions to make his office space Covid-safe, such as having spacing between desks and using hand sanitiser, that problem is still likely to continue.

"At Bradford Breakthrough, we work with many large business organisations, and our members do understand that safety must come first.

"Therefore, we have to understand, accept and work inside the regulations, which are there to make Bradford a safer place and to make sure employees are looked after and cared for, as we would all want them to be.

"Online businesses are finding that they are allowed to continue their operations, so the restrictions have not been a massive issue for them.

"But, in the wider context, when you look at the PR and marketing side of companies, there is a reluctance from businesses to market themselves at the moment.

"This is because they can’t say for sure when they will actually be able to deliver the services that they are marketing.

"The restrictions are also having an impact on retail businesses, in particular those in our city centre, which rely on trade from office workers nearby. With office workers now working from home, that is having a major impact on city centre businesses.

"Overall, businesses understand the need for the restrictions to continue, and the need to work within those constraints that have been placed upon us, but are also looking forward to when restrictions ease and end, so we can get back to normal."

Councillor Nazam Azam, of the City ward, said he personally knows people who have been hospitalised for COVID-19, and says the emotional impact of the virus is significant.

Nazam also stressed the need for unity in the wake of the restrictions staying in place.

"This partial lockdown we are in at the moment does have an effect on us all, absolutely. It is affecting people’s physical and mental health and affecting everyone socially", he said.

"It is also having an effect on the businesses which are not allowed to open and is having a significant impact on the economy.

"However, there is a great need for us all in the district to continue following all the rules. We have to maintain our distance and be cautious and careful. The truth is, the virus is still here and, unfortunately, it is higher in our district than it is in other places.

"We need to ensure that we tread carefully and apply caution. We must use masks, socially distance and just adhere to the guidelines.

"We do have a problem in the district – not in all parts of it, but this is all one district and it would be impossible to implement even more localised restrictions in just one or two smaller areas, for example.

"I think poverty, deprivation and household factors have been big influences in the problem that we have in the Bradford district.

"I do think that there have been a lot of mixed messages from the Government and the response has been something of a shambles, since day one. A lot of the hypocritical polices have not helped the situation.

"Personally, I have known people who have fallen victim to Covid-19. I have seen close friends of mine end up in hospital because of this virus.

"We know people who have lost loved ones, and for many people those are just numbers – but for those families, they are massive, massive losses and you see the real impact.

"When you see the impact of what this virus has created, it isn’t about politics, it’s beyond that.

"I do know that a lot of our councillors here in Bradford have been very active recently, going door-to-door and handing out PPE and important advice wherever necessary.

"It’s been a while now – we’ve been under these restrictions since March, and people want to return to normality. But normality won’t return any time soon, not without imposing a serious risk.

"My message to the people of Bradford would be to continue applying caution and adhering to the rules. Please observe social distancing requirements and use the necessary PPE when you are out and about.

"We want to see the light at the end of the tunnel – but we have to get through this collectively. We’re all in this together and we must overcome it together."

Councillor Abid Hussain, of the Keighley Central ward, also stressed the importance of working together, across the district.

"We cannot challenge the Government guidelines, the restrictions are for the benefit of our community", he said.

"Hopefully in the next few weeks things will get better and improve and restrictions will ease, as long as it is safe.

"The best thing for all of us to do is to go along with all the rules. Doing so will help the community.

"I know a lot of people are trying to follow them and that will improve the situation – my message to the community is please follow all Government guidelines as you will not only be protecting yourself, but also others and your community."

Sofia Mahmood, the founder of Bradford-based community organisation Empowering Minds, who emphasised how the district must remain united in its battle with Covid-19 and avoid playing the "blame game" earlier this week, also voiced her opinion.

"We must all remain patient and focus on getting through this together", she said.

"With the current situation, there are no new reported COVID-19-related deaths at hospitals in the Bradford district for 11 days, which is good news

"But the mixed messaging from the Government and the confusion it has caused, in terms of what is allowed and what isn’t, is frustrating many.

"People want to see their loved ones and visit each other’s houses, but at the same time, we have to protect everyone.

"Bradford people are vigilant, they are following rules and protecting each other. We all have to stay patient and remember that, here in Bradford, we are going to get through this together.

"Let's stay united and fight this virus collectively".