Leeds residents react to latest coronavirus restriction changes in West Yorkshire

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a raft of changes to planned lifting of restrictions due to coronavirus in a press conference today.

> West Yorkshire lockdown: new rules and guidance for Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees explainedSpeaking at lunchtime, Boris Johnson said face coverings should now be worn in museums, galleries, cinemas and places of worship.

He said the law will become enforceable from August 8.

The prime minister also announced indoor performances will not resume, pilots of larger gatherings in sports venues and conference centres will not take place, and wedding receptions of up to 30 people will not be permitted.

Residents of Leeds had a mixed reaction to the announcements.

> Boris Johnson announces raft of coronavirus restriction changes including enforceable face mask dateMany said they agreed with the widening of face covering guidelines - which will soon be enforceable by law.

However, others said they felt their 'freedom had been taken away' just as normality had 'started to return'.

Linda Otley said: "Thank goodness [Boris Johnson] has finally shown he will refuse to allow places to reopen if the virus is starting to spread again due in my opinion to those that are acting irresponsibly."

Sarah Ellis told the Yorkshire Evening Post that she had sadly lost her dad at the beginning of lockdown and 'would hate to see another family go through what we went through'.

She added: "I wouldn't like Boris' job at the moment.

"The rules made more sense when we were on proper lockdown.

"I would close again but leave some open areas open.

"Like Pugneys, Otley Chevin, Cow and Calf.

"Where people can get out but safely distance.

"Plus people just need to start following the new rules, otherwise this is here to stay."

Emma Lockwood said she had been in to Leeds City Centre and seen many flouting the 2m restirctions.

Julie-Ann Mitchell said she was happy with the widened restrictions on face coverings as she had asthma.

She added that she felt her mum would be safer due to the new changes.

Despite the overall reaction seeming to be positive, others had their doubts about the new changes.

Paul Hardwick said: "I'd like to know the difference between meeting family inside at home and meeting people inside at work or anywhere else, and yet the government are (short sightedly) promoting returning to places of work!

"Employers are requesting people to return, despite demonstrating that jobs can be done successfully from home.

"All in order to get things back to how they were.

"Well I for one don't want things back to how they were, especially when the pandemic is far from over."

Adam Hughes said he believed people were 'at breaking point'.

He added: "I think people are at breaking point, almost five months of having our lives dictated.

"Finally life starts to get some normality and then yet another threat of taking away our freedom.

"[It is] like we are naughty children that need to be punished and told how long they are allowed to play out for.

"The vast majority of people have done what has been asked of them and suffered, I fear that reintroducing lockdown again will be met with a different reaction this time."

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Thank you

Laura Collins