West Yorkshire will officially enter Tier 3 lockdown from Monday
Here's what it means for the county
It's now officially been announced that West Yorkshire will be subject to Tier 3, meaning people who live in the county will be subject to England's toughest Covid-19 rules. The updated status from Tier 2 will come into effect this Monday (2nd November).
What areas of West Yorkshire will Tier 3 now apply to?
The new restrictions will apply to all five local authority areas in West Yorkshire - Leeds, Wakefield, Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale, starting from 00.01 on Monday.
In the past, local leaders in West Yorkshire have used bin collections to help people identify where they live. If your bins are collected by one of the councils above, the new restrictions apply to you.
How much financial support will the region get?
Local leaders have secured a package worth an additional £59.3m to begin to help support West Yorkshire through this time. This funding is broken down as follows:
- A one-off additional amount of £20 per head: for West Yorkshire this is estimated to be worth £46.6m in additional funding.
- A total of £8 per head to support enhanced test and trace and contain measures, resulting in an additional £12.7m.
Leader of Leeds City Council Judith Blake said key to the negotioations was securing this package alongside the Tier 2 support. She said they have ensured that this £59.3m package was additional to the existing business grant arrangements previously announced by the Chancellor for Tier Two. This is a major policy shift from government, and will benefit all the authorities that enter into Tier Three.
Why is West Yorkshire being upgraded to Tier 3?
West Yorkshire Combined Authority have said the virus spread is now at a critical juncture. Not only are infections rising in the region, particularly amongst the elderly, but there is evidence that the NHS is starting to struggle to deliver essential elective care.
It's also been confirmed that there are 216 cases of COVID-19 across 53 care homes in Leeds, although Leeds Director of Public Health Victoria Eaton said this is also due to increased testing since the first peak.
What does being in Tier 3 mean?
The government's three-tier strategy of regional measures are designed to avoid a national lockdown. Here's what Tier 3 involves...
Can I mix with people outside my bubble?
You may not socialise with anybody you do not live with, or have not formed a support bubble with, in any indoor setting, private garden and at most outdoor hospitality venues and ticketed events. However, the rule of six applies to outdoor public spaces including parks, beaches and public gardens.
Are schools open?
It has been confirmed that schools and universities will remain open.
Can I attend weddings and funerals?
Weddings and funerals are able to go ahead with restrictions on the number of people attending, 15 can attend weddings and 30 attend funerals but wedding receptions are not allowed. 15 may attend wakes and other commemorative events (check with the venue for additional restrictions).
Are restaurants and pubs closed?
Pubs and bars can only operate as restaurants, with alcohol only available if part of a substantial meal. Shisha bars must not serve shisha, but can open as cafés.
I want to exercise, are gyms open and sports allowed?
Gyms may continue to open, but the guidance is against indoor exercise classes taking place.
Can I stay overnight in the UK?
People in Tier 3 areas should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK. You should also avoid travelling outside the Very High alert area or entering a Very High alert level area, other than for work, education or for caring responsibilities, or to travel through as part of a longer journey.
Can I go to church or other places of worship?
Household mixing is not permitted, but places of worship remain open for individuals or household bubbles as long as social distancing is maintained.
What about childcare?
Registered childcare can carry on, including wraparound care, youth groups and activities, and children's playgroups. This means you can continue to use early years and childcare settings, including childminders, after-school clubs and nannies.
Registered childcare providers and people in either your support bubble or your childcare bubble can provide childcare support in private homes and gardens
A childcare bubble is where someone in one household provides informal (unpaid and unregistered) childcare to a child aged 13 or under in another household. This must always be between the same 2 households.
Can I visit care homes?
You should not visit a care home except in exceptional circumstances, for example to visit someone who is at the end of their life.
Can I still move house?
You can still move home if you're in a very high alert level area.
Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work and people looking to move home can continue to undertake viewings.
Can I travel out of the area?
This should be avoided unless it is for work, education or youth services, to meet caring responsibilities or if travelling through as part of a longer journey.
Will shops close?
All casinos, soft play areas, adult gaming centres, betting shops and car boot sales must close.
A statement from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority said:
"Over recent days, we have had a number of meetings with government ministers to discuss the next steps for controlling the rising COVID-19 infection rates across the region. With great reluctance, we have accepted that West Yorkshire will now move into Tier Three (Very High) restrictions as of 00.01am on Monday 2nd November.
"We remain deeply concerned that the impact on the people of the region and the West Yorkshire economy has been desperately underestimated by government. Leaders have been promised further conversations with government ministers in the next few days to discuss local schemes to build on and continue to support the economic recovery of the region.
"We expect that our local business support schemes in West Yorkshire will be ready to come into effect at the same time as the planned national government scheme for Tier Two in mid-November, subject to government funding.
"The economic package of support alone is not sufficient for us to survive this crisis, so we have agreed with government a full package of joint working including:
"While we continue to have concerns about how we got here, and how restrictions will be supported, we will only come through this difficult period if we all pull together. This means complying with the rules, maintaining social distancing and personal and family hygiene, wearing face masks where required, and self-isolating if asked to do so.
"We must take every measure to face this challenge as a community. It’s only by everyone doing their bit that we will beat this virus and get life back to normal, where we can do the things we enjoy. "