BRADFORD Council has apologised after incorrect information on local lockdown restrictions was on its website for a number of weeks.

The issue reared its head as the whole of the district was plunged back under local Covid-19 restrictions, which ban the mixing of households in private homes or gardens. But confusion arose as to whether different households could meet in a public venue, like a pub, bar or restaurant, with the Government and Council appearing to give contradictory information.

On a guide to the local restrictions, published when some wards were subject to the rules and others weren’t, the Council said of the wards which WERE under restrictions: “You cannot socialise with people you do not live with in other indoor public venues - such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions.”

This appeared to make it clear this was a rule and enforceable, like the banning of different households mixing in homes or gardens. In a question and answer session on Look North, Sarah Muckle, Director of Public Health for Bradford, was asked: “Can I meet another household or friend in a restaurant or pub?”

She replied: “No, you can only do that with members of your own household.”

However, the official Government guidance only goes as far as advising people do not do this. Over the weekend, the Council moved to amend the information on the website, stating: “From Tuesday (September 22) across all of Bradford district, you cannot have anyone in your home or garden who isn’t part of your household or bubble.You are also strongly advised against meeting people who are not part of your household or bubble in public venues such as pubs, restaurants, parks etc.”

When questioned by the Telegraph & Argus over the issue, a spokesperson for Bradford Council said: “We’re sorry for any confusion, but this was a genuine misinterpretation of increasingly complex and ever-changing government announcements for which formal guidance always takes a couple of days to appear.”

At the time of writing, the Council website states: “If you live in the affected local area, you must not meet or host people you do not live with in private homes or gardens unless they are in your support bubble. In addition to these restrictions, we advise that you should not: socialise with people you do not live with, unless they’re in your support bubble, in any public venue.

"This applies to inside and outside of the affected areas. Examples of public venues include pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions and parks.”

It says people are also advised against visiting friends or family in care homes, other than in exceptional circumstances and care homes should restrict visits to these circumstances.

Extra measures are being rolled out across the country from tomorrow: pubs, bars and restaurants must only provide table service, except for takeaways; pubs and bars must close at 10pm, as should takeaways, although they can still deliver; retail staff and staff and customers in indoor hospitality – such as cafes and restaurants - should wear face coverings, except when seated at to eat/ drink.