Year changed all our lives
Children return to schools but problems with accessing tests emerge amid the start of the second wave. Leeds and Bradford begin to suffer surging case rates again and it’s only a matter of time before Kirklees is affected. The ‘Rule of 6’ is launched leaving Kirklees with two different sets of rules. The divide was ended on September 22 when the whole of Kirklees was put under stricter measures, preventing households from mixing indoors or in gardens. MP Barry Sheerman predicts a second national lockdown.
Kirklees’ public health chief warns the virus is now raging as the second wave emerges. Rates of Covid-19 infection are ‘well above the national average’ in Kirklees. A Huddersfield town centre testing centre is launched to meet a surge in demand.
Meanwhile, the government has revealed its new tier restrictions with Kirklees earmarked for Tier 2. By the middle of the month the borough is tipped to be heading for the stricter
Tier 3, prompting more than a week of negotiations between West Yorkshire leaders and the government.
A deadly outbreak at a Huddersfield care home is revealed to have claimed seven lives while the region’s hospitals are reported to be a breaking point.
West Yorkshire was told it was to move into Tier 3 – only for it to be rescinded after a new national lockdown was announced two days later.
The second national lockdown began on November 4 prompting hundreds to enjoy what many feared could be their last night out of 2020. Kirklees infection case rates begin to rocket with the borough becoming one of the top ten worst authorities in the country.
Despite this many defy instructions to stay at home to gather for Remembrance celebrations, particularly in Cleckheaton. On Friday the 13th the Public Health chief issues a stark warning that cases and deaths are escalating rapidly. Calderdale and Huddersfield hospitals suffer the highest levels of Covid-19 deaths since the peak of the first wave.
Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman calls for a longer lockdown and protests when the Prime Minister confirms it will be only for five weeks.
Lockdown restrictions are removed but Kirklees is placed in Tier 3 alongside all of West Yorkshire.
Coronavirus case rates begin to fall raising hopes that the borough could be downgraded before Christmas, allowing pubs and restaurants to re-open. But there is disappointment when the borough is kept in Tier 3. Days later the Prime Minister sensationally all but cancels Christmas by reducing the bubble period to December 25 alone. After a month of improvement case rates begin to rise again, ending any hope of relaxed restrictions going into the New Year.
The year ends with Kirklees and the rest of West Yorkshire under Tier 3 restrictions. What 2021 holds – we will have to wait and see.