‘We are in the midst of a pandemic – we need to keep fighting against Covid-19’

Responding to recent events seen in other parts of the country, West Yorkshire’s Local Resilience Forum is calling for everyone to keep working together to ensure infection rates do not start to rise again.

With a number of protests and vigils recently being held in other regions, West Yorkshire Prepared is urging residents to continue acting responsibly to keep each other safe, and ensure we can successfully continue to lift restrictions moving towards the summer.

Robin Tuddenham, co-Chair of West Yorkshire Prperaed and Chief Executive of Calderdale Council,  said: “The roadmap out of lockdown has started rolling out, but it’s vital we all remember we are still in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. With rates of infection in the region remaining high compared to the rest of the country, it is very much dependent on all of us to keep working hard and pulling in the same direction to reduce the risk of the rate of infection creeping back up.

 “We are urging everyone to continue following the guidelines – stay at home unless for an essential reason, social distance with anyone not in your household and wear a mask wherever necessary.”

Dave Walton, co-Chair of West Yorkshire Prepared and Deputy Chief of West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, added: “Peaceful protests in the region will be supported, but violence towards anyone is never acceptable. As an LRF, we know our emergency services, local authorities and numerous other agencies and organisations are ready to act and will continue to work together to keep our communities safe – but we also need your help in order for us to do that.”

The next step of the roadmap is due to be introduced next Monday (29 March), enabling people to meet socially with others outdoors, in groups of up to six people or two households. However, people will be strongly encouraged to continue to stay at home as much as possible to help keep infection rates down.

To keep up to date with West Yorkshire Prepared, please visit www.westyorkshireprepared.org.uk or follow us on Facebook (@WYPrepared) or Twitter (@WYRForum).