New Leeds lockdown restrictions in full issued by Leeds Council

This is due to a sharp rise in coronavirus cases across the city.

The latest seven day COVID-19 rate in Leeds is 98.5 per 100,000 people, with 8.4 per cent of those tested being positive and cases showing a consistent upward trend for a number of weeks.

The measures will start from midnight on Friday, September 25 .

This means people in Leeds cannot meet or host people they do not live with in private homes or gardens unless they are in a support bubble.

People cannot visit someone else's home or garden even if they live outside of Leeds.

-> Local lockdown Leeds: rules explained and your questions answered as new restrictions in placeExisting arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children where the children do not live in the same household as their parents, or one of their parents will remain exempt.

Friends and family can also still provide informal childcare for children under 14.

People in Leeds should not socialise with people they do not live with in any public venue in Leeds or other cities.

Examples of public venues include pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions and parks.

They should not visit friends or family in care homes.

Leeds City Council said restrictions will be continually monitored and reviewed and additional measures could be brought in the coming weeks if required.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council said: “We are acutely aware that nobody wants to see further restrictions placed on life in Leeds and alongside our partners we have been doing absolutely everything within our power to avoid that.

-> Leeds Public Health Director explains why Leeds has been put in local lockdown“But the safety of the city and the public simply has to come first and we have now reached a point where we all need to take additional steps to contain the spread of this terrible virus within our communities.

“How long these new measures last and how much further they may need go in the coming weeks and months will depend on everyone playing their part. We know there has already been some excellent partnership work taking place across the city and this will continue to manage outbreaks and help everyone stay safe.

“Building on that sense of community spirit, I’d appeal to everyone to follow these rules, consider the impact your actions could have on others and take your share of the responsibility for protecting our city.”

The new measures come after months of extensive work by agencies and partner groups across the city which has seen increased testing, community engagement and public awareness campaigns. This has also been supported by work alongside the city’s universities to prepare for the imminent arrival of students to start the new university year in Leeds.

Victoria Eaton, Leeds City Council’s Director of Public Health said: “Any restrictions on seeing the people close to you are incredibly difficult to take but these rules have been put in place to protect families, friends and neighbours from a virus which is spreading at a dangerously rapid rate.

“It’s vital that we all play our part in containing that spread by sticking to the latest rules and guidance and ensuring that we don’t put ourselves or each other at unnecessary risk.”