THE leader of Bradford Council has given her reaction to announcement the district will stay in tier 3 coronavirus restrictions.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “The Government has announced today that Bradford District will stay in Very High (Tier 3) restrictions. I want to thank everyone in the district for all you are doing to keep the infection rate down.

“The new variant of COVID-19 is however even more infectious and is already in the district. I urge everyone to continue to follow the guidelines rigorously. We know just how quickly this virus can spread. The easing of restrictions that the Government allowed over the Christmas period could cause the infection rates to rise again. We all know people who have died before their time or been seriously ill with this virus. None of us want to go back to high levels of infection, it is so distressing for our communities and puts our hospitals under tremendous strain.

"Please don’t travel outside the Bradford District unless it’s essential. Many areas outside our boundaries have faster rising rates of infection and by reducing non essential journeys we reduce the risk of potentially bringing and spreading the virus further. For all our sakes please wash your hands regularly, wear a face covering and stay 2 metres apart.

“If we can keep going with the Hands, Face, Space guidance until the roll out of the vaccine then we will prevent more deaths and can return to a more normal life in 2021.”