Leeds Council issues Halloween and trick or treating advice during Covid-19

The city is under local lockdown, meaning 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.

Specific national advice on whether trick or treating is banned has not been set out, with Boris Johnson’s deputy spokesman saying earlier this month that the “rules are clear” in terms of a ban on households mixing in areas affected by local rules - although he stopped short of specifying that this would prevent all trick-or-treat outings.

The rule of six - banning gatherings of more than six inside our outside - is still in force across England.

In Leeds, household mixing in houses or private gardens is illegal - unless you are part of a support bubble.

Mixing outside is not technically illegal, but is strongly advised against by Leeds City Council.

The authority has given Halloween advice to local councillors, including Conservative councillor for Harewood Matthew Robinson.

Trick or treating isn't specifically banned, but the council indicated that things like handing out sweets "isn't the best idea".

Coun Robinson shared the advice on his Facebook page.

The statement read: "We have had a few enquiries about Halloween and the basic answer is that people still need to follow the rules and take action to avoid the spread of the virus.

"Don’t meet in groups of more than six, avoid household mixing, keep your distance, handing sweets out this year isn’t the best idea, but by all means decorate the house and celebrate within your bubbles."

Other notable information included in the council's update to councillors included:

- As of October 6, there were four care homes in Leeds reporting cases of Covid-19 in residents - all have control measures in place care and work continues to prevent further outbreaks

- 134 educational settings are reporting a total of 819 positive cases. Three high schools have been noted as having a high rates reported and incident meetings were held at the start of this week

- Outbreaks are currently being investigated at six workplace settings

- Infection rates have grown fastest in young people again

- The most recent data shows 82 per cent of positive cases are amongst people of white ethnicity, where ethnicity is known.

- Data on positive cases and contact tracing shows that most transmission is happening through social contact, mainly in households with some transmission in hospitality

- Hospital admissions has risen again this week

- Early data from October suggests more people are managing to access test sites despite the national challenges

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