How long will local lockdown be in place in Leeds? What we know right now

However, how long is the city expected to remain under restrictions?

National restictions such as the curfew and rule of six are expected to remain in place throughout winter.

-> Live updates: Local lockdown for Leeds from midnight on Friday says Leeds CouncilLocal lockdown is likely to remain in place as long as it is needed and cases continue to rise.

It is unlikely to be lifted in the near future, with similar restrictions placed across West Yorkshire remaining weeks after first being announced.

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.

Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health says: "Our focus is on protecting the most vulnerable in Leeds and we will continue to do that.

"The work across the city will continue around the things we know make the most difference.

"Compliance with isolation is still too low at the moment but we want to find ways to support people to isolate.

"The expectation is restrictions [nationally] will be in place for a long time, possibly right through the winter.

"We want to make sure we get through the winter with the virus and with the restrictions.

"As much as possible we have to balance all the restrictions with infection control with the broader health and wellbeing of people.

“Even though the restrictions are important, the only way we are going to make it work is to know they are just one part of what we need to do, including rigorous hand washing and maintaining social distancing.”

-> Leeds in local lockdown tonight - everything we know right nowMinisters announced a tightening of rules last week in response to “major increases” in cases, with Merseyside, Warrington, Halton and Lancashire – excluding Blackpool and Greater Manchester – escalated to “areas of intervention”.

From Tuesday (September 22) all parts of Bradford, Kirklees, Calderdale, were also banned from socialising with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens.

-> This is how new Covid restrictions will impact supermarket shopping as Asda and Morrisons reintroduce wardensWhen are new restrictions introduced in an area?

There is no set level of infection that triggers this in a particular place, but if it posts more than 40 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people, it is likely that extra restrictions will be considered.

But the number of infections is not the only factor considered.

What has Leeds Council announced?

Council Leader Judith Blake says 'we are in a time of fast moving changes which affect us all. We are in a situation with the rest of the country implementing the rule of 6.

"The curfew came in at 10pm last night and I understand we had good compliance with that regulation.

"I understand that the four medical officers for the UK have put out a statement saying we are at the start of a second wave.

"We haven’t had a formal announcement from government yet. We have the expectation that we will be asked to move into a different category.

"Our understanding is that we will be moved onto the Area of Intervention list, which means we will see more household restrictions in line with Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale.

When will the lockdown begin?

It is expected to begin from midnight.

Coun Judith Blake said: “We expect that these restrictions will come in from midnight tonight."

Which areas of Leeds are included?

All areas that pay council tax to Leeds City Council will be under lockdown restrictions.

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Thank you

Laura Collins