29th October 2020
Bradford & Leeds being placed into the ‘very high’ alert level of the Government’s new three-tier system of interventions to tackle the spread of COVID-19.
It means that the district from 00:01 on Monday 2 November will be under the strictest set of restrictions due to the high rate of infection in the area. Until then ‘High’ (Tier 2) level restrictions remain in place.
The new restrictions mean that
- People must not meet socially with friends and family indoors in any setting unless they are part of their household or support bubble. This includes private homes and indoors in hospitality venues, such as pubs.
- People must not meet with people outside of their household or support bubble in a private garden or in most outdoor public venues.
- People can continue to see friends and family in groups of six or less that they don’t live with (or have formed a support bubble with) in certain outdoor public spaces, such as a park or public garden.
Very High restrictions also mean that:
- People can attend COVID-safe places of worship but must avoid mingling.
- Tradespeople can still enter a household for work.
- Wedding and civil partnership ceremonies must only take place in COVID-secure venues or in public outdoor spaces unless in exceptional circumstances. Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are restricted to 15 people. Receptions must not take place.
- Funerals must only take place in COVID-secure venues or in public outdoor spaces with up to 30 people in attendance. Wakes or linked ceremonial events before or after the funeral are limited to 15 people and must not take place in private homes.
- Schools and colleges will remain open.
- People should not visit a care home except in exceptional circumstances, for example to visit an individual who is at the end of their life.
- People should try to avoid travelling outside their local area where possible, or entering another area rated Very High other than for work, education, accessing youth services, or to meet caring responsibilities.
- People should also avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK if they are resident of Bradford District and avoid staying overnight in the District if they are resident elsewhere.
There are also new rule changes for businesses which mean that the following business venues must close:
- Pubs and bars will be closed unless they are serving substantial meals, like a main lunchtime or evening meal; they may only serve alcohol as part of such a meal
- certain businesses selling food or drink on their premises are required to close between 10pm and 5am
- Casinos
- Soft Play Areas
- Adult Gaming Centres
- Betting Shops
- Car Boot sales
- Shisha bars (serving shisa) – these venues may operate but only as a cafe and not allowed to serve shisha.
- Gyms can remain open but guidance is against indoor exercise classes taking place.
- Exercise classes and organised sport can take place outdoors subject to risk assessments and compliance with COVID-secure guidance. These activities can only take place indoors if people can avoid mixing with others they do not live with or share a support bubble with, or for youth or disability sport. Activities for elite sportspeople and their coaches is permitted if necessary for competition and training.
Guidance will be issued to all premises offering exercise classes advising that these should not be continued.
People aged 18 or over can be fined:
- £200 for the first offence, lowered to £100 if paid within 14 days
- £400 for the second offence, then doubling for each further offence up to a maximum of £6,400
Holding or being involved in the holding of an illegal gathering of more than 30 people is an offence, and police may issue fines of £10,000 to those who break the law.
Levels of coronavirus were relatively low during the summer. This resulted in an easing of lockdown restrictions nationally and an end to the formal shielding programme. As we move into the autumn levels of infection are unfortunately rising.
It is really important that people who are vulnerable, their families and those they come into contact with know how to keep themselves safe and how to protect others.
Actions to keep yourself safe and protect others:
- Maintain 2 metres social distancing from people you do not live with
- Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth in public places and where you can’t keep 2 metres apart from others.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water when leaving the house and returning and regularly throughout the day. When soap and water is not available outside of your home use hand sanitiser.
- Take extra precautions, limit your number of contacts with other people, ideally to members of your own household or support bubble.
- Avoid crowds and going to places that are not COVID-19 secure.
Report an alleged COVID-19 breach of restrictions
If you suspect someone has breached one of the COVID-19 restrictions and wish to make a report, you can report an alleged breach using our online form. Please note that we will look into breaches of Covid-19 restrictions during office hours.
If you have concerns someone is not self-isolating on return from a non-exempt country you should contact your local police force via 101, as it is not dealt with by Bradford Council.
Please note the Council cannot enforce the wearing of face coverings in supermarkets, pubs and restaurants or small businesses. We are however working in community settings to advise on COVID safe practices.
Please note that we will look into breaches of COVID-19 restrictions during office hours.
