Parks, markets, bin collections and leisure centres - here's what's happening in Wakefield, Pontefract and Castleford during national lockdown

The council is continuing to support residents and local businesses throughout the lockdown, with some services being able to remain open and others being delivered in other ways.

From today, the following changes will take place to the council’s services until further notice:

All museums are closed.

All libraries are closed but a click and collect service is available online and over the phone.

Pontefract Castle grounds and toilets will remain open and the café will be serving takeaway food and drink only.

Sandal Castle grounds will remain open, but the café will be closed.

Wakefield Council markets remain open to stalls selling essential items.

All leisure facilities and golf courses will be closed (a temporary freeze will be placed on all Aspire memberships).

Country parks remain open, including toilet facilities. The café at Pugneys Country Park will be serving takeaway food and drink only.

The Customer Access Point at Wakefield One will be closed but the council can still be contacted online or by calling 0345 8 506 506. Or alternatively, for:

Licensing - call 01924 302932 or visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/business/licensing-and-tradingRevenues and benefits - call 0345 8 504 504 or email [email protected]Registrars’ services remain open for appointment only to register a birth or give notice of a marriage or civil partnership.

Death registration appointments will continue via telephone. Wedding and civil partnership ceremonies are not permitted during the national lockdown.

All children and adult services remain unaffected, including children’s centres and Children First Hubs which will remain open.

Bin collections will continue as normal and Household Waste Recycling Centres will remain open.

The national measures are being brought in to reduce day-to-day contact between people in a bid to reduce the growing rates of infection across England and avoid the NHS becoming overwhelmed.

The new national restrictions will mean that from today:

All non-essential retail will close, including pubs, restaurants, entertainment venues and leisure facilities except for takeaways.

People will only be able to leave their home for specific reasons including work, essential shopping, exercise and in case of emergencies.

Other businesses including building and manufacturing can remain open provided they follow Government guidance.

Early years, schools and further and higher education will remain open.

There will be further restrictions on household mixing.

Vulnerable people are asked to minimise their contact with others.

Those that are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable are also advised to stay at home, work from home if possible and to only travel when essential. They are able to meet with one other person from outside their household or support bubble to exercise outdoors.

Full details of the council’s changes to services and the new restrictions can be found on the Council's website at www.wakefield.gov.uk/coronavirusCoun Denise Jeffery, Leader of Wakefield Council, said: “The national lockdown will be challenging for us all, but with surging cases across all parts of the district and with our local NHS services now being significantly affected, it is vitally important that we all play our part to help stop the spread, protect one another and reduce pressure on our NHS services.

“We’re once again urging residents to please stay at home as much as possible and avoid meeting people you do not live with. It is absolutely essential that we continue to wash our hands regularly, wear a face covering in indoor public spaces and maintain social distancing with anyone outside of our household or support bubble.

“We are pleased that more services will be able to stay open than during the first lockdown and we will be continuing to support our residents, businesses and communities through this difficult time. Our help line remains open for those needing support.”

The council has a dedicated phone line for anyone worried about themselves or someone else, who does not have an existing support network of friends, family or neighbours. Call 0345 8 506 506 between 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, and choose option 3 to make a request for support to be arranged.

The council’s business support team is ready to provide support and guidance to all businesses who are affected by the national restrictions by emailing [email protected] or call 01924 306 630 / 01924 305 835. Or for further information visit www.wakefieldfirst.com/covid-19/Andrew Balchin, Acting Chief Executive of Wakefield Council, said: “In line with the national guidance, we are able to keep essential services running and will be prioritising support to the most vulnerable in our district.

“Bin collections will continue as normal and Household Waste Recycling Centres will remain open. We ask that you only visit if essential and please adhere to social distancing rules. Although libraries will be closed, a click and collect online service will be available.

“We fully appreciate that these changes may cause some challenges but we are doing everything possible to keep services running where possible. We please ask that you do everything you can to stay at home and follow the Government restrictions.

“Information on all changes to services or closures can we found at www.wakefield.gov.uk. You can still contact the Council online or by calling 0345 8 506 506. Lines are likely to be busy so please bear with us. We will help you as soon as we can.”

Anyone displaying coronavirus symptoms – of a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss of taste or smell - is urged to get a test by accessing local testing or by visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus or calling 119.

The local testing service is available from Monday to Friday and bookings for appointments can be made at www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 01924 224497. Or email the person's name and contact details to [email protected] so the booking team can get in touch.

The local testing service will prioritise essential workers and school children in order to keep essential services running and support schools across the district to remain open.

Those without symptoms (asymptomatic) should not be seeking a test unless they have been advised to do so by a health professional, Public Health England or the Council's public health teams – it could take a test away from someone who really needs it.