How Leeds is preparing for life after lockdown according to Leeds Council

A two-phased approach is being planned to safely "open up" the city.

This two staged approach is due to the lack of a coronavirus vaccine meaning people will still be at risk of catching the virus.

This means safety measures will need to be put in place when reintroducing people into the workplace and schools.

How to safely open up parks and public spaces, as well as public transport, will also need to be carefully planned.

The Council is working with key partners and organisations to find the safest ways to prepare for the end of the coronavirus lockdown.

Council Leader, Judith Blake, said: "The effects of this pandemic are profound and entirely unprecedented and as a city and country we need to work together first and foremost to protect our people from its terrible consequences.

"As we move forward we must also consider how we live and work as we begin to understand its longer-reaching impact.

“"It is likely that we will be living with COVID-19 without a vaccine for an extended period so we are actively planning for two phases of recovery.

"First, a period where lockdown may be gradually lifted and we open up as a city while also ensuring that people can be confident that our workspaces, public spaces and public transport are safe.

"This will require very close working with employers and their staff, businesses and the unions, public and education providers and so many others.

"Then, when a vaccine is available, we need to maximise our chances of building a different, more inclusive, clean and healthy economy that works for everyone.

Coun Blake added: "Leeds bounced back strongly from the 2008/09 recession which followed the financial crisis and our economy has been resilient in the face of austerity.

"The impact of COVID-19 is not yet fully understood but it will be deep and more far reaching.

"I’m confident that Leeds is a resilient city with a diversity of people, opinions and cultures, and our highly collaborative way of getting things done will help us bounce back from this unprecedented economic shock.”