Reality of LOCKDOWN sinks in for residents
THIS is Huddersfield in lockdown.
The reality of “staying at home” is finally starting to sink in, as roads are quiet and town centre streets are virtually empty.
Only key workers or those needing food or medicine are allowed out and police are on the streets with the power to question – and eventually fine – those out without good reason, or congregating in groups of more than two.
At 8.30am yesterday, the M62 was eerily empty as the majority of people are now working from home and following government advice not to make any unnecessary journeys.
Our photographe, Andy Catchpool, watched as only a handful of wagons and cars passed on what is usually the busiest commuter time.
The images close to the Huddersfield junction paint a very different picture to the jam-packed Tube trains that show Londoners are not yet grasping the seriousness of the situation.
As commuters continued to crowd on to London’s Underground network, the Prime Minister is facing calls to increase restrictions on construction work.
With people filling busy Tube trains yesterday morning, Boris Johnson was being asked to ban non-essential construction workers from heading to building sites and help stop the spread of the virus.
In Huddersfield town centre, there were only a handful of people on the streets, many wearing face masks.
There were also reports of thieves trying doors and shutters of shops and businesses, which face a shut-down for at least the next three weeks and probably as long as three months.
Last night, Kirklees Council announced that that it will defer rents for all commercial tenants for a period of three months. With 870 properties in its commercial portfolio, including managed workspace for new and small bus-inesses, the council is providing this support for all commercial tenants, alongside the package of business support announced by the Government.
Council leader Shabir Pandor said: “We understand what a hugely challenging time this is for businesses in Kirklees and are determined to do everything in our power to provide the support and guidance they need.
“We hope that deferring rent for all our commercial tenants for the next three months will help them get through this crisis and come out stronger on the other side.”
For business rate and grant enquiries, contact the council’s business rates team on 01484 414 941 or email business.rates@kirklees.gov.uk
For all other enquiries, contact the council’s business team at business.enquiries@kirklees.gov. uk
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