BRADFORD MPs have called for coherent messaging and testing problems to be fixed following yesterday's news that local restrictions would be extended to the whole of the district. 

All parts of Bradford, Kirklees, Calderdale, will be banned from socialising with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens, from September 22.

Some wards in these areas had been exempt from restrictions on gatherings introduced at the start of August, but these wards will now also be subject to the ban.

On Monday (September 14) a ban on meeting in a group of more than six people - the so-called 'Rule of Six' in any location was introduced.

The Government guidance states: "However, for people who live in the affected areas, we continue to advise that you should not: socialise with people you do not live with, unless they’re in your support bubble, in any public venue.

"This applies to inside and outside of the affected areas. Examples of public venues include pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions and parks.

"Visit friends or family in care homes, other than in exceptional circumstances. Care homes should restrict visits to these circumstances

"If you operate a business or organise events within the affected areas you should take steps to ensure people do not socialise with people they do not live with, in line with Covid-19 secure guidance."

The guidance given on Bradford Council's website appears to go a step further and states: "You cannot socialise with people you do not live with, or are not in a support bubble with, in public venues. This means you cannot socialise with others in pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, visitor attractions or parks.

"You may attend these venues with people you live with (or are in a support bubble with) but should avoid interaction with others."

Imran Hussain, Labour MP for Bradford East, said: "Local restrictions that stop family and friends who take sensible precautions from seeing each other are confusing, inconsistent and undermine our response, and they are not how we will stop coronavirus.

“Instead, the Government must fix the serious problems in the testing system so that those who need a test can get one quickly, raise the rate of sick pay so that no one is left poorer for making the right decision to self-isolate, and tackle the inequalities that create the conditions for its spread.”

Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West, added: "As the government announces further national restrictions to West Yorkshire, including to the whole of Bradford, we must realise that the cases of Covid-19 are rapidly increasing and therefore it is important that every measure is taken to protect lives.

"I have argued for quite a while that the messaging on the measures must be coherent; otherwise it will effect compliance due to confusion. The Government chose to politicise local measures, wasted the summer by failing to deliver a track and trace system that works and sent mixed messages, therefore, it has meant that we are in a more difficult situation.

"Nevertheless, now that the whole of the Bradford district is under the same measures, with a clear message; we must all play our part in controlling the rise of the virus. Bradfordian's have played an amazing role during the pandemic and as the virus starts to raise it head once again, it will take us all to play our part to save lives and stop the spread of the virus."