PEOPLE across the Keighley district and South Craven are being urged not to drop their guard in the battle against Covid-19.

As infection rates continue to rise, anxious local authority bosses and health chiefs this week issued a stark warning that even-tougher restrictions could be introduced if the spread of the virus isn’t brought under control.

In Bradford district, from tomorrow local restrictions will apply across all 30 wards.

Nine ­wards – including Worth Valley and Craven – have been exempt from the additional localised measures, but that is changing.

Bradford Council leader Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe says that further sharp increases in infection rates could lead to stricter action.

She said: “Unfortunately infection rates in the whole of Bradford district continue to increase. For that reason we ask people to support the Secretary of State’s decision to reinstate local restrictions in the nine wards in which he relaxed them on August 28.

“In the last few weeks it’s been noticeable that, as the infection rate has risen, it has also increased markedly in some of those wards which had previously come out of local restriction. We are an interconnected place and we’re dealing with a virus which travels fast once it gets hold, it doesn’t respect ward or constituency boundaries.

“We are all at risk and everyone needs to continue to stay safe, take the utmost care to minimise the spread of this terrible virus, and protect vulnerable people.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading. Thank you to residents, staff, the NHS and volunteers across the district for working so hard to reduce infection rates and to support our communities.

“We all need to continue to follow the Government’s guidelines so that we can contain the virus, save lives and prevent further restrictions on our district. If the infection rates go down then we will be able to go back to national restrictions which other parts of the country are following where the ‘Rule of 6’ applies.

“But, as we have seen from other parts of the north, more sharp increases in infection rates could lead to the Government deciding on further economic restrictions which cost jobs and livelihoods. We all want to avoid this.

“Keeping two metres apart from each other, regular hand-washing, and wearing a face covering indoors will help to beat this virus and protect our loved ones and jobs.”

In North Yorkshire, cases of the virus have more than quadrupled in recent weeks.

And areas of particular concern include Cross Hills and Sutton-in-Craven, where there has been increased community transmission.

North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, comprising the agencies and partners responsible for leading the fight against the pandemic, says it has moved into a major incident response mode.

Local testing facilities have been directed towards areas of greatest need and other support has been stepped-up.

Richard Flinton, forum chairman and chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, said: “Together, over the last six months, all of us who live and work in the county have made a huge effort to prevent and reduce the spread of Covid-19 locally.

“We thank everybody for their many sacrifices. However, as we have seen nationally and around the world, cases are rising again and the threat of the virus is a real and present danger.

“Please show extra restraint and caution and take additional actions above and beyond those required nationally to help us try to avoid another lockdown here.”

For more about the coronavirus situation in Bradford district, visit bradford.gov.uk/health/health-advice-and-support/coronavirus-covid-19-advice.

In North Yorkshire, visit northyorks.gov.uk/coronavirus.