League News
The government last night announced new guidance on travelling for 8 local council districts which included Kirklees. Growing concerns about the Indian variant of coronavirus has led to this new guidance which is below.
The government has advised against all but essential travel in and out of Kirklees in an effort to contain the spread of the Indian variant of coronavirus.
Kirklees is one of eight local council districts where the Indian variant is spreading fastest and the government has decided it must take action.
It currently has the fourth highest infection rate in England, according to the latest Public Health England figures.
People are now being encouraged to avoid leaving or entering Kirklees unless their journey is essential. Exemptions include travelling for work or to get to school.
The impact on local bowling could be considerable as a number of local leagues attract teams from outside of Kirklees and a lot of local clubs have teams in Calderdale and Barnsley district council areas leagues. Starting today the Veterans League and Mirfield League both have teams from outside of Kirklees which, under the new guidance, should not be playing matches in Kirklees or against Kirklees teams. Today for example two Elland (Calderdale) teams are scheduled to play either in Kirklees or against Kirklees teams. For bowler's safety these fixtures should be postponed.
I have spoken with Yorkshire CCGBA and they say they are waiting for guidance from the BCGBA. BCGBA CEO was unaware of the new guidance until seeing it on Breakfast TV this morning.
The guidance is only advisory at present, not mandatory but with matches this afternoon and this evening that breach that guidance I cannot believe that Kirklees teams will be welcome in Leeds, Wakefield and Calderdale.