Everything you need to know as Leeds enters second national lockdown: parks, bin collections, childcare, funerals and school rules

Leeds is under new national restrictions after the Government implemented a second lockdown.
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The strict measures came into force from midnight on Thursday November 5 and will last for four weeks until Wednesday December 2.

It replaces the Tier 3 restrictions that Leeds would have been subject to from Monday, November 2.

Here is everything you need to know:

Leeds during the first national lockdown.Leeds during the first national lockdown.
Leeds during the first national lockdown.

What are the rules?

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People are being asked to stay at home and not to gather with people they do not live with.

Certain businesses and venues have also been ordered to close.

Residents can leave home for essential reasons such as food shopping, accessing health or critical public services, to work, for education or providing care for a vulnerable person.

You can leave home to visit people in your support bubble, or to provide informal childcare for children 13 and under as part of a childcare bubble.

Why is this happening?

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The Government said that the national lockdown is necessary to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed after a sharp rise in coronavirus cases.

Can I still go outside?

Yes you can go outside for unlimited exercise.

You can go with members of your own household, on your own or with one other person from outside your household.

In Leeds. parks and playgrounds will be open.

Car parks and public toilets in parks will also be open.

Can I still go to work?

The Government has urged everyone who can work from home to do so.

Where people cannot do so they should continue to travel to their workplace.

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Public sector employees working in essential services, including childcare or education, should continue to go into work.

People who work in other people’s homes - for example, for nannies, cleaners or tradespeople - can continue working

Are schools still open?

Schools, colleges and universities remain open.

Which businesses have to close?

- Non-essential retail, such as clothing, homeware stores, tobacco and vape shops

- Vehicle showrooms (other than for rental)

- Electronic goods and mobile phone shops

- Market stalls selling non-essential goods.

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- Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs -with the exception of providing food and drink for takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery

- Accommodation such as hotels, hostels, guest houses and campsites

- Leisure and sports facilities such as leisure centres and gyms, swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, golf courses, fitness and dance studios, climbing walls, archery, driving, and shooting ranges

- Entertainment venues such as theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and galleries, casinos, bingo halls, bowling alleys, soft play centres and areas, animal attractions, water parks, theme parks

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- Personal care facilities such as hair, beauty, tanning and nail salons.

- Tattoo parlours, spas, massage parlours, body and skin piercing services must also close

​Which businesses can stay open?

- 'Essential' retail such as food shops, supermarkets, pharmacies, garden centres, hardware stores, building merchants and off-licences.

- Petrol Stations, car repair and MOT services, bicycle shops, and taxi and vehicle hire businesses.

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- Banks, building societies, post offices, loan providers and money transfer businesses

- Funeral directors

- Launderettes and dry cleaners

- Medical and dental services

- Vets and pet shops

- Agricultural supplies shops

Public services like the Jobcentre, courts and probation services and Civil Registration Offices will remain open

Can I still get takeaway food or click-and-collect shopping?

Cafes are able to offer takeaways.

Non-essential retailers can continue to be able to operate click-and-collect and delivery services.

What about childcare?

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Early years settings and childminders remain open, and you can continue to use these settings as normal.

You can access other childcare activities (including wraparound care) where reasonably necessary to enable parents to work, seek work, attend education or training, or for the purposes of respite care for carers.

Nannies will be able to continue to provide services, including in the home.

Parents are able to form a childcare bubble with one other household for the purposes of informal childcare, where the child is 13 or under.

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Can I go to church/mosque/temple/synagogue and other places of worship?

You can leave home to attend a place of worship for individual prayer, a funeral or a related event for someone who has died, to visit a burial ground or a remembrance garden, or to attend a "deathbed wedding".

Can I visit someone who is giving birth?

Yes. The guidance states: "You can leave home for any medical reason, including to get a COVID-19 test, appointments and emergencies, to visit someone who is giving birth or dying."

What about NHS doctors and hospital services?

People are being warned that they may face delays when accessing healthcare services.

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A spokesman for Leeds City Council said: "People are increasingly likely to experience a delay or find appointments cancelled across healthcare services.

"Primary care services continue to remain open however all initial appointments are over the phone or online usually by video call.

"The council will continue to work with partners across the city to ensure services are delivered as effectively as possible and to support the most vulnerable members of communities."

What about funerals?

Funeral services will continue with a maximum capacity of 30 people.

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Linked ceremonial events such as stone settings and ash scatterings can also continue with up to 15 people in attendance.

Anyone working is not counted in the 15 or 30.

What about weddings?

Weddings and civil partnerships will be postponed during the lockdown period.

There is an exemption if someone is seriously ill.

What about my bin collection?

Leeds City Council confirmed that waste services will remain operational but likely to be under pressures.

Household waste recycling centres will also stay open.

Bulky waste collection and forestry continues and litter bins will be emptied as staffing allows

Can I go to the vets?

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Yes. You are allowed to go to the vets or any other animal welfare service.

Can I go on holiday?

If you live in England, you cannot travel overseas or within the UK, unless for work, education or other legally permitted reasons.

Overnight stays and holidays away from primary residences will not be allowed- including holidays in the UK and abroad.

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What about social care, day services and young person settings?

Leeds Council confirmed that social care services and schools and children and young person settings, including childcare such as Little Owls, will continue.

Day services are being reviewed.

What about rough sleepers?

Leeds Council said there will be street support for rough sleepers.

What about maintenance services as we head into winter?

The council said that parks and playground maintenance, responsive highway and winter maintenance, catering and cleaning to support those council venues remaining open; responsive and planned maintenance of council buildings.

Is it illegal to break these rules?

These measures will be underpinned by law.

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Police and other authorities will have powers to give fines and break up gatherings.

What has Leeds Council said?

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “Once again the people of Leeds, along with the rest of England, are being asked to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.

"I know how difficult this will be for local people and businesses who have continued to face unparalleled challenges this year, but the safety of our residents must take priority until we can gain control of this relentless virus.

"It has been amazing to see the city pull together this year and I know we can do it again.

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“The darker nights will no doubt make this lockdown tougher for many people and it is important we all take care of ourselves and look out for friends, family members, colleagues and neighbours who may be struggling.

"The council is here to offer help to any person or business who needs it and there is a range of support and resources available online.”

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