Leaders have announced that West Yorkshire will remain under Tier 2 ban.

West Yorkshire Council leaders issued a statement tonight stating that the county has decided to maintain coronavirus Tier 2 status.

Government ministers reportedly did not meet with West Yorkshire leaders today, Tuesday, and agreed this week that there were no lawsuits to place the region under Tier 3 restrictions.

Boris Johnson announced at his press conference this evening that talks with West Yorkshire were still ongoing.

West Yorkshire Council leaders said in a statement: “Government ministers have not met with leaders today.

“Local and national public health experts agree that there are no lawsuits this week to relocate West Yorkshire to Tier Three.

“The decision to maintain the Tier Two (High Risk) Restrictions reflects progress made by the Council, Public Health England, the NHS and other partners working together to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.

“To further reduce the risk of increased restrictions, it is important that everyone in West Yorkshire follow the rules and play their part, especially when it comes to self-separation.

“And we now need government support for a variety of initiatives, including local testing and traces, deeper engagement with our communities and financial support for those who are self-isolated.

“Tier-to-status will continue to have a significant impact on our economy, particularly the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors and their related supply chains that employ more than 200,000 people at once.

“We urge the government to respond to our proposals for business, job and income protection and to support our plan for economic recovery, including a package of people who have already lost their jobs to develop new skills.”