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Leeds has been subjected to stricter local lockdown rules in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus cases in the district.
Leeds City Council officials revealed the news at a lunchtime press conference yesterday, ahead of the government’s official confirmation in the afternoon.
The stricter restrictions went into effect at midnight and mean that people from two households are prohibited from meeting in a private home or garden.
It brings Leeds in line with neighboring districts, Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale.
What the new rules say
Basically, you cannot meet people from other households in a private house or garden.
This means that you cannot visit someone else’s home or garden, even if they live outside of Leeds, and they cannot come to your home or garden to visit you.
However, there are many exemptions to the ban, such as people in the same social bubble, exemptions for childcare, and for people who need to enter their homes to work.
You can find a full list of exemptions here.
(Image: PA)
Why have they brought them now
The coronavirus infection rate in Leeds has been increasing for several weeks.
In Yorkshire, Leeds has been the most (or second most, behind Bradford) consistently confirmed every day for most of September.
Yesterday, the district’s infection rate surpassed 100 for the first time and rose again today. That’s a bit far behind Bradford, at 154.1, and even further behind the most infected area, Bolton at 242.0, but it’s only going one way and officials feel they need to take action.
The reasons for the spread of cases are not entirely clear, but the government has noted that preventing households from mixing is a key way to reduce the number of new cases.
Yesterday Leeds City Council Executive Director Mr Riordan said: “We don’t have enough people who do the basics of wearing a mask, social distancing and that’s what we will need next.”
Where the rules apply
The entire Leeds district has followed the same rules.
As council leader Judith Blake said yesterday: “If Leeds City Council empties people’s trash, they will be included in the restrictions.”
How long the rules will last
As long as it takes, but we are probably looking at a longer period than the previous rule changes.
Leeds Public Health Director Victoria Eaton warned they could be in place for the rest of the winter.
She said: “The expectation is that the restrictions will be in place for a longer period of time, potentially during the winter.”
The government said it will keep the rules under constant review so they can be lifted earlier.
What happens if you break the rules?
The West Yorkshire Police can give you a fixed penalty notice for a fine of £ 200, which is doubled for further violations up to a maximum of £ 6,400.
How people have reacted
Unsurprisingly, the people of Leeds were mostly upset by the new rules, whether they agreed to them or not.
Some blamed people who didn’t follow the old rules for the new restrictions. Elena Nicola, for example, commented: “They are the ones who have not followed the rules is the reason why we almost returned to the starting point.”
Others questioned the logic behind some of the rules. Lisa Longbottom said: “He’s very lazy and open to people who don’t do what is expected of them and I’m sorry, but if it’s okay for the family to go to each other’s house and to the kids, then it should be okay for visit my old mother. “
And there were those who argued that people wouldn’t stick to the new rules if they stayed in place all winter.
Irene Westwood said: “Do you really hope that people will not see their grandchildren for 6 months, including Christmas, when they have already lost them for more than 3 months?”
What the council said
In announcing the rules this morning, Leeds council executive director Tom Riordan said: “It looks like we are in the middle of the second wave so we support these domestic restrictions being introduced at this stage and this is something we really need. city to get behind “.
Council leader Judith Blake said the message can be “confusing and contradictory,” but the council has created a “series of messages” that will help people comply and protect Leeds communities.
She added: “Everyone must take personal responsibility for the way they behave.”
What the deputies have said
When the Department of Health and Social Care officially announced the restrictions around 6 p.m. yesterday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We continue to see an acceleration of COVID-19 cases across the country, especially in the Northwest and the northeast.
“Working together with our scientific and public health experts and local leaders, we are prepared to take swift and decisive action to reduce the transmission of the virus and protect communities.
“I recognize the burden and impact these additional measures have on our daily lives, but we must act collectively and quickly to reduce infections.
“We all have a role to play and I urge everyone to isolate themselves and get tested if they have symptoms, follow the advice of the NHS Test and Trace and always remember ‘hands, face, space.’
Leeds MPs have been quite dovish on the news. Most have tweeted council or government advice and urged voters to follow the rules.
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