The Government has decided that restrictions introduced to Kirklees on 29 July will still be in place in the following wards: Batley East, Batley West, Dewsbury East, Dewsbury South and Dewsbury West. If you are unsure which ward you live in, you can find out on our website. They will be lifted in the rest of Kirklees from 2 September 2020.

Areas where local restrictions are being lifted will now be in line with national guidance. It means you can now meet with another household again inside a private home or garden and in other indoor public venues – such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions.

It also means that businesses in these areas can offer close contact treatments again and casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys, indoor play areas (including soft play areas), exhibition centres and conference halls can now reopen.

Although these local restrictions are being lifted in some areas, people are still being infected across the whole borough so it’s still crucial that you continue to follow all  the latest guidance and stay safe no matter where you live.

Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council, said: “This week I asked Government for the whole of Kirklees to be lifted from these restrictions and this is still my view. So, I’m disappointed that people and businesses in Dewsbury and Batley will continue to be impacted by these restrictions for now. However, this decision shows that the Government agrees that we’re heading in the right direction.

“I am going to press the Government to tell us how we can get Dewsbury and Batley lifted from these restrictions and I’m going to fight for these communities. In the meantime, we will continue with the great work we’re doing on the ground to target our most at-risk areas to bring infection rates down.

“My message to people in Dewsbury and Batley is that I know how tough this has been and will continue to be, but if we all keep following the guidance and staying safe we will get these local restrictions lifted.

“I’d like to thank all political leaders – including our local MPs – in Kirklees for joining me in discussions this week and working hard to make a case for these restrictions to be lifted.

“I’m pleased that the Government has listened to us in part and has agreed to give most of our residents these freedoms back so they can start meeting with families and friends from other households again and businesses impacted by the restrictions can now start to recover.

“We all still need to be really careful. These local restrictions are being lifted in some areas, but people are still being infected across the whole borough so no matter where you live please continue to follow all national guidance and stay safe.”