We’re now testing more people than ever in Kirklees, but infection rates have increased over the last seven days and local restrictions remain in place for now – an update from Kirklees Council Leader Councillor Shabir Pandor.
On 30 July, Government announced new restrictions for 4 million people in the North of England, including everyone in Kirklees.
Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, has announced today that the current restrictions will remain in place to allow more time for the impact of this ban on indoor gatherings to be felt, and make sure local residents and their loved ones are protected.
Councils under these restrictions are now being invited to work with local MPs to propose lifting or changing rules in areas based on evidence and data.
Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council, says he is calling for the Government to lift the restrictions in Kirklees.
Councillor Pandor said: “Over the last seven days 164 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Kirklees – this is an increase of around 18 per cent on the previous week.
“Our numbers have increased over the last three weeks and remain above the national average. This is something we all have to take seriously.
“A positive is that we have significantly stepped up testing, with over 5,000 people in Kirklees now getting tested for COVID-19 each week. It’s an amazing achievement in a short space of time – a month ago, we were only able to do around half that number.
“Some of the increase in our infection rates is because we’re doing so many more tests and we’re finding more cases but it’s also a wakeup call for all of us about how important social distancing and all the other public health advice still is.
“It doesn’t matter where you live in Kirklees, the risk of infection and transmission is still there. Over the past week, almost every council ward recorded at least one case of COVID-19.
“I had strong reservations about how and why Kirklees was placed under extra restrictions alongside many other councils.
“I think it’s time for the government to re-think the restrictions that stop us from meeting our friends and family in a safe and responsible way. We also need all businesses to re-open to get our economy back on its feet.
“If the government do their bit, we need to do ours too. We all need to keep following the rules and keep ourselves – and each other – safe.”
