Wakefield is going back into Tier 3 Covid rules, council has confirmed

The entire Wakefield district, along with the rest of West Yorkshire, will be placed into Tier 3 (very high alert) restrictions from midnight on Wednesday, December 2 following the end of national restrictions.

This is what the new restrictions meanThe new Alert Level announced by Government today will see Tier 3 restrictions being imposed on all residents in the Wakefield district. These include:

• People must not meet socially indoors or in most outdoor places with anybody they do not live with, or who is not in their support bubble, this includes in any private garden or at most outdoor venues.

• People must not socialise in a group of more than 6 in some other outdoor public spaces, including parks, countryside accessible to the public, a public garden, grounds of a heritage site or castle, or a sports facility – this is called the ‘rule of 6’.

• Weddings can go ahead with a maximum of15 people attending. Wedding receptions are not allowed.

• Burials in Council Cemeteries are allowed with a maximum of 30 mourners with appropriate social distancing observed.

• Funerals can be attended by up to 14 people at Pontefract Crematorium, or 16 at Wakefield Crematorium. This is the maximum number that can fit in the chapel and maintain proper social distancing.

• There should be no public attendance at spectator sport or indoor performances and large business events should not be taking place.

• Travelling should be avoided to other parts of the UK, including for overnight stays other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities.

• People can travel through other areas as part of a longer journey.

The following venues will remain closed:

• Hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha venues), pubs, cafes and restaurants are closed – they are permitted to continue sales by takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services.

• Accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and guest houses must close. There are several exemptions, such as for those who use these venues as their main residence, and those requiring the venues where it is reasonably necessary for work or education and training.

• Indoor entertainment and tourist venues must close.

• Indoor attractions at mostly outdoor entertainment venues must also close.

The following will be open:

• Leisure and sports facilities may continue to stay open, but group exercise classes (including fitness and dance) should not go ahead.

• Large outdoor events (performances and shows) should not take place, with the exception of drive-in events.

• Organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes can continue, however higher-risk contact activity should not take place.

• Places of worship remain open, but people must not attend with or socialise with anyone outside of their household or support bubble while there.

National lockdown restrictions remain in place until Wednesday 2 December and all residents and businesses are urged to continue following these measures.

Coun Denise Jeffery, Leader of Wakefield Council, said: “I know that continued restrictions will be extremely frustrating to many. But let’s not let all that hard work go to waste. The situation in the district remains critical and we must all act now to help reduce the spread of infection, protect our local health services and save lives.

“I hope it will come as a relief to our local retailers that they are able to reopen on the run up to Christmas but understand that many other local businesses will still be subject to restrictions or unable to reopen.

“Our local businesses, particularly in the hospitality industry and their supply chain, are going to need some significant support. I want to reassure them, and all the businesses affected, that we are on their side and will be doing all we can to get them the financial support they need.

“These restrictions are going to be a huge challenge to us all – having major impacts on our daily lives and once again adversely affecting many of our local businesses. But we must continue to work together to keep slowing down the infection rate in the district.

“Please remember that we do remain under the national lockdown restrictions until the Tier 3 restrictions come into force on Wednesday."

As part of the national restrictions, residents are asked to stay at home with a limited set of exemptions:

• Only leave home for food, medical reasons, exercise, education, work, to care for a vulnerable person or in case of an emergency. When shopping for essentials please consider shopping at off peak times (evenings not weekends).

• To visit others in a support bubble

• Work from home if possible

• Avoid travel unless essential.

Anna Hartley, Director of Public Health for the Wakefield district, said: “Although the national lockdown has slowed cases we must not be complacent. The rate of infection is still very high and so are hospital admissions, that’s why it is so vitally important that we follow these new restrictions to help keep everyone safe and reduce pressure on the NHS.

“If you have symptoms, even if they are mild, please act quickly – self-isolate and get tested. Please do not ignore any symptoms you might have as you could be spreading the virus to others who are more vulnerable at risk.

“As well as following the new restrictions please also remember to continue to wear a face covering in any enclosed space if you are able to, maintain social distancing where possible and wash your hands often.”

Residents are reminded to continue to:

• wear a face covering where needed

• follow social distancing rules

• work from home if possible

• reduce, where possible, the number of journeys made.

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.

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.

To find out more about Tier 3 restrictions visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/about-the-council/coronavirus-information

The Council’s business support team is ready to provide support and guidance to all businesses who are affected by Tier 3 restrictions.

They can be contacted at [email protected] or call 01924 306 630. For further information about the implications for businesses and how to implement them, visit www.wakefieldfirst.com/covid-19/