Quarantines, social distancing, empty town centres and closed shops became a normal part of lockdown life across Dewsbury, Batley and Heckmondwike, and the impact of these measures is still evident across the retail industry and many other sectors throughout the country today.
During the initial national lockdown, all “non-essential” businesses were closed, and people were ordered to stay at home unless for essential purposes, such as buying food or for medical reasons.
From May 13, 2020 people were able to leave home for outdoor recreation.
Once restrictions eased, people were encouraged to limit outdoor gatherings to six people, and "non-essential” shops reopened on June 15, 2020, provided they adhered to Covid-19 secure guidance issued by the government.
Take a look back at these pictures which document the unprecedented time across North Kirklees.
From May 13, 2020 people were able to leave home for outdoor recreation.
![Shops selling 'non-essential' goods were shut throughout April 2020 as people were ordered to stay at home. Picture: Tony Johnson](https://www.dewsburyreporter.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmE5ZDBjYTA4LWZlYTMtNGIyZi1hMWNkLTUyYmNlZjgxZGZhZjo0YWFmMDMzZS1lNTZjLTRkNjQtODcxZi05ZDcyMmIzMmQ4Yjg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
9. Lockdown
Shops selling 'non-essential' goods were shut throughout April 2020 as people were ordered to stay at home. Picture: Tony Johnson Photo: Yorkshire Post Newspapers
![Social distancing measures were still in place as a woman enters a Dewsbury store which reopened after being ordered to close in late March 2020. Picture: Scott Merrylees](https://www.dewsburyreporter.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjIzM2EyMGUyLWI2OWQtNDJmYy04MjBkLTNiZGU1MmMxYTYwMDoxZTdjNDgzOS03ZjFiLTQzYjMtODg5ZS1mMzM0YjJjNjA5NDI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
10. Pandemic
Social distancing measures were still in place as a woman enters a Dewsbury store which reopened after being ordered to close in late March 2020. Picture: Scott Merrylees Photo: Scott Merrylees
![A social distancing sign reminds people to 'Be kind, give each other space and stay safe' and leave a distance of two metres between people as Dewsbury shoppers return to the high streets. Picture: Scott Merrylees](https://www.dewsburyreporter.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjA3OTZkYmQyLWUwMzgtNGRkNS1iYjQyLTFhMGY2YjA4YjdkYzplMDY3NGE2NS1hNjUzLTQzODUtYjlmNy05NDM0M2JhNWJmMWY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
11. Pandemic
A social distancing sign reminds people to 'Be kind, give each other space and stay safe' and leave a distance of two metres between people as Dewsbury shoppers return to the high streets. Picture: Scott Merrylees Photo: Scott Merrylees
![The area surrounding Dewsbury Town Hall is largely deserted as people are ordered to stay at home during the initial national lockdown. Picture: Tony Johnson](https://www.dewsburyreporter.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjdkYWM4YTcwLWUyMGItNDQzYi05MDkyLWFmYjUzMmNlOTFkMjo5ODAzYWNjZi1mMGY1LTQ0NzUtYWUzZS02ODZmOWFjMGNlZWE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
12. Lockdown
The area surrounding Dewsbury Town Hall is largely deserted as people are ordered to stay at home during the initial national lockdown. Picture: Tony Johnson Photo: Yorkshire Post Newspapers