PEOPLE in Bradford are being urged to be vigilant as the district's Covid-19 rate "is no longer falling".

That's the message from Duncan Cooper, public health consultant for Bradford Council as the Easter Bank Holiday approaches.

This week has seen a slight easing of restrictions, allowing more people to meet outdoors, paired with sunny weather.

April 12 will see a further easing of restrictions, allowing non-essential retail to open along with hairdressers and nail salons. 

Indoor leisure facilities like gyms will also reopen, but only for use by people on their own or in household groups, as will most outdoor attractions and settings. 

Hospitality venues will be allowed to serve people outdoors and there will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks and no curfew, but customers must order, eat and drink while seated. 

Wider social contact rules will apply in all these settings to prevent indoor mixing between different households. Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, can also reopen.

Mr Cooper said: “The Government is responsible for assessing the data to see if it is safe to progress with the easing of restrictions on 12 April as part of the government road map.

“In recent weeks we have seen the numbers of hospitalisations and deaths from Covid fall quickly both in Bradford and nationally.

“This is down to the national restrictions, the success of the vaccination programme, and cooperation from the public.

“However, the infection rate in Bradford is no longer falling. Nearly 50 per cent of adults have had their first vaccine but, until we get to 70 per cent across all communities, and people have had their second jab, we must keep to the regulations.“

“So we urge people to accept a Covid vaccine when it is offered and follow the current regulations, particularly during the Easter period.

“This involves wearing face masks in enclosed public spaces, maintaining 2m social distancing, and only socially mixing with one other family or a maximum of 6 people outside. This will help avoid a third wave of infections and further restrictions.”