Tier 3 expected to remain in place in West Yorkshire after government review this week

West Yorkshire is expected to remain under Tier 3 Covid restrictions following a government review later this week,

The region was placed under the strictest possible rules after England came out of lockdown at the start of December.

UPDATE 5.30pm: Matt Hancock hints Leeds may move into Tier 2Local infection rates have been falling, with cases in Wakefield now below the national average.

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The city's MP, Imran Ahmad Khan, last week urged the government to outline their plan to ease what he branded "draconian measures" being imposed.

Pubs and restaurants are forced to remain shut under Tier 3 restrictions, though they can run takeaway services.Pubs and restaurants are forced to remain shut under Tier 3 restrictions, though they can run takeaway services.
Pubs and restaurants are forced to remain shut under Tier 3 restrictions, though they can run takeaway services.

But councillors in Wakefield were told on Monday morning that Tier 3 is likely to remain in place until after Christmas at least.

Tom Stannard, the council's corporate director for regeneration, told a scrutiny meeting that the measures were having an "obvious and immediate impact on the economy, particularly the retail and hospitality sectors".

He added: "Although the government has set out its intention to review those restrictions on a fortnightly basis, with the first of those review points being later this week, the expectation at the moment is West Yorkshire will stay in Tier 3.

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"That's because although cases are coming down and starting to plateau, they're still at a level that's in line with the government's formula for (Tier 3)."

A further review of the measures is due to take place on New Year's Eve.

Earlier this month, the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce called for the government to give extra clarity on the rules, amid claims that pubs and restaurants forced to close for Tier 3 were looking at "ways round the rules" in a bid to survive.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

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