“We will recover and be even better than before,” says Wakefield Council leader Denise Jeffery

“As well as the health consequences we have seen from the pandemic, people’s livelihoods have been hugely impacted by lost income, and freedoms restricted.

“It has taken its toll on many, but we have started to move and reopen.

“The council, along with our key partners across transport, business, blue light and the voluntary sectors, has done its best to help our district restart safely while observing the government Covid-19 secure guidelines.

“You may have heard that the government may list Wakefield as an area of concern in terms of the return of the virus.

“There have been a number of small outbreaks across the district in recent weeks, and we’ve taken action to stop them spreading.

“We need to work together to help keep ourselves and others safe in our district. So please follow these five simple rules:

*Wear a face covering in any enclosed public space

*Avoid areas where you can’t keep to two metres for social distancing - especially if you have any underlying health issues, or are over the age of 70

*Avoid any hugging or close contact with anyone outside your household

*Don’t car share with anyone outside of your household

*Wash your hands frequently.

“I want to thank everyone I’ve seen wearing face coverings in shops and acting sensibly and safely.

“We are working hard through our recovery board to get businesses and shops back to normal and make them safe for both shoppers and workers.

“A lot of this work will involve trying out new ideas and experimenting with new ways of doing things.

“This is not just for the council but for organisations and service providers across the district, and across the country.

“A case in point is the experimental closure of Northgate to traffic. I’ve listened to those local businesses who have said that it is damaging trade.

“That is the last thing we as a council want to do, either in the city centre or anywhere else across our district.

“As such, we will be reopening Northgate to traffic shortly. We will however continue to try out ideas to help people to come safely back into our city and town centres.

“We are also committed to listening to local businesses and local people about what they need, and what they think works and doesn’t work.

“I have set up a dedicated mailbox for you to share your ideas and suggestions, but also your concerns and feedback on how this pandemic has affected you and what more you think we, as partners, could do to help.

“Please email us at [email protected].

“By coming together and sharing ideas and solutions I’m confident that not only can we recover, but that we will recover not like before, but in many ways even better than before.”