What the latest lockdown announcement means for Leeds and West Yorkshire

It follows concerns that Leeds would be placed under lockdown due to a rise in coronavirus cases.

Elsewhere in the country, Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull were placed under restrictions, with residents told not to meet with people from outside their households to control the spread of the virus

This is in addition to the new nationwide law that limits groups of people meeting to a maximum of six.

-> Social gatherings of more than six people to be banned from MondayHealth and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock said: “The reinforcement of the nationwide rule of 6 for social gatherings sends a clear signal to us all - the whole country must continue to stay vigilant and practice social distancing to beat this virus.

“After seeing cases in the West Midlands continue to rise, the decision has been taken in collaboration with local leaders to ban households mixing in Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull. We never take these decisions lightly but social gatherings can spread the virus quickly, and we need residents to abide by the new rules to break the chains of transmission.

“Where targeted action has been taken, we are seeing signs of progress, and today’s easements in Leicester are proof that the measures we are putting in place in collaboration with local councils have a positive effect.

“We will not hesitate to take further action if needed, and my appeal to you all is to get a test if you are symptomatic, stay at home if you are required to self-isolate, and to constantly think: hands, face, space. Only then can we avoid further restrictions, and return to a sense of normality”

What does it mean in Leeds?

Leeds has avoided further Covid-19 restrictions but will instead receive enhanced support towards managing the rise in infection rates, the city council has said.

A spokeswoman said this means the city will move up one stage from being placed on the national Public Health England watchlist last week as an area of concern.

The seven-day rate of infection now stands at 66 per 100,000 people, with a test positivity of 6%.

The enhanced support status means that Leeds City Council and its partners will work with Government on ways to bring down infection rates, with extra resources provided, the spokeswoman said.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “People in Leeds aren’t facing further restrictions this week but this continued rise in rates is still of great concern.

“I’d like to thank everyone who is taking this very worrying situation seriously, and we must remain vigilant.

“We really need everyone to pull together to help us get these rates down and stem the tide. What we all do now will make a direct impact on whether we’re able to bring this terrible virus back under control.

“It will also directly affect decisions as to whether Leeds is considered as an area that may need further restrictions later this month.

“If levels continue to go up as they are doing this is a real possibility.”

What does it mean in Bradford?

The ban on indoor household gatherings will continue in urban areas of Bradford where the ban is in place.

It remains in place in Bolton & Undercliffe, Bowling & Barkerend, Bradford Moor, City centre, Clayton & Fairweather Green, Eccleshill, Great Horton, Heaton, Idle & Thackley, Keighley Central, Keighley East, Keighley West, Little Horton, Manningham, Queensbury, Royds (Buttershaw), Thornton & Allerton, Toller, Tong, Wibsey and Wyke.

The restrictions have been lifted in Craven, Ilkley, Worth Valley, Baildon, Bingley, Bingley Rural, Shipley, Wharfedale and Windhill & Wrose.

What does it mean in Wakefield?

Wakefield was officially been removed from the government's Covid-19 watchlist on Friday, September 4.

The district was declared an "area of concern" in July, after a spike in cases linked to a series of local outbreaks.

There are currently no restrictions in Wakefield.

What does it mean in Calderdale?

The ban on indoor household mixing will also continue in parts of Calderdale.

The areas affected are Illingworth and Mixenden, Northowram and shelf, Ovenden, Park, Skircoat, Sowerby Bridge, Halifax Town and Warley.

Areas that are no longer restricted are Brighouse, Calder, Elland, Greenland and Stainland, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe, Luddendenfoot, Rastrick, Ryburn and Todmorden.

he leader of Calderdale Council, councillor Tim Swift, said there will be disappointment in Halifax that the current coronavirus restrictions are to remain.

Mr Swift said: “We know that local people will be disappointed that the additional restrictions on household gatherings are still in place in the Halifax constituency.

“With the recent steady reduction in Calderdale’s Covid-19 rates, we had hoped to see the remaining local restrictions lifted today.

“However, sadly our infection rates are now starting to increase again, like they are across the country.

“So it’s crucial that we all continue to do everything we can to keep each other safe.”

What does it mean in Kirklees?

In Kirklees, the ban on indoor household mixing will continue in Dewsbury and Batley.

It will not affect the areas of Golcar, Greenhead, Heckmondwike, Holme Valley South, Lindley, Liversedge and Gomersal, Mirfield, Newsome, Cleckheaton, Dalton, Denby Dale, Almondbury, Colne Valley, Crosland Moor and Netherton, Holme Valley North, Kirkburton, Ashbrow and Birstall and Birkenshaw.