THE GOVERNMENT has announced new restrictions on people in the Bradford district in a bid to break the train of transmission of Covid-19.

It means that residents in all parts of Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale are banned from socialising with other households or bubbles in private homes and gardens.

Some wards in these areas had previously been exempt from such restrictions but the Government has confirmed they are now all bound by them.

Asked if the Prime Minister was considering a two-week so-called “circuit break” of new national Covid-19 restrictions, a Downing Street spokesperson told a Westminster briefing: “We have always been clear that our strategy is to keep the virus down as much as possible while protecting education and the economy.

“I would point to the words of the Health Secretary this morning where he said that we are prepared to take action if necessary.

“But we, obviously, want to avoid any extended lockdown.”

He added: “Our focus is to reduce transmission rates.”

The Number 10 spokesman said: “No restrictions are currently planned in London.”

Asked about testing levels, a Downing Street spokesperson said: “We are ramping up capacity, or working to ramp up capacity in terms of tests.

“I am not aware of anything to suggest that tests are not available in some parts of the country.”

What are the latest restrictions?

In addition to the national 'rule of six' restrictions, in Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale you cannot:

  • Meet people you do not live with inside a private home or garden, except where you have formed a support bubble.
  • Visit someone else's home or garden even if they live outside of the local lockdown area.
  • Socialise with people you do not live with in other indoor public venues - such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions.
  • Visit friends or family in care homes, other than in exceptional circumstances. Care homes should restrict visits to these circumstances.

These restrictions apply to all areas as of Tuesday (September 22).