Leeds in local lockdown Tier 2: What does High Risk Tier 2 mean and what are the Covid rules in Leeds

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that local lockdown areas - which would include Leeds - will automatically move into high alert level, which is Tier 2.

Mr Johnson said that the change to the system is to make one unified system for local lockdowns across the country - the much anticipated 'traffic light' tier system.

Leeds and West Yorkshire is expected to fall into High Alert Level, Tier 2, as Mr Johnson said that areas currently in local lockdown will automatically move into Tier 2.

He added that talks with local leaders are continuing and the final confirmation of the tiers will come on Monday or Tuesday, with rules being put in force from Wednesday, October 14.

Liverpool will be under Tier 3 restrictions which will mean pubs, bars, gyms, casinos and other adult gaming centres being shut.

What is High Alert Tier 2 lockdown? What are the rules in Leeds right now?

The High Alert Tier 2 rules in Leeds are:

- No household mixing indoors - that means homes AND pubs and restaurants. Any indoor setting.

- Mixing in gardens IS allowed as long as the rule of six is followed. This actually means that restrictions are slightly less strict than before for gardens.

- Curfew in bars and pubs remains at 10pm

- Pubs, bars and restaurants to stay open

- Social distancing must be obeyed at all times

- The Rule of Six remains so that groups of people must not exceed six people in pubs, bars, restaurants and gardens

What are the details of the rules and what are the exceptions in Leeds?

Households will not be able to mix indoors including in homes, leisure or hospitality venues.

Households will be able to mix outside, including in parks, and private gardens provided they do not gather in groups of more than six.

People can still come inside your home for specific purposes. These include where everyone in the gathering lives together or is in the same support bubble; to attend a birth at the mother’s request; to visit a person who is dying; to fulfil a legal obligation; for work purposes, or for the provision of voluntary or charitable services; for the purposes of education or training; for the purposes of childcare; to provide emergency assistance; to enable one or more persons in the gathering to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; to facilitate a house move; to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person.

Existing 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.

When will the new High Alert be in force?

Boris Johnson said the rules will be agreed with councils on Monday and Tuesday before being finalised and being put in place, in force, from Wednesday October 14.

Leeds Council confirmed the Tier 2 status on Monday evening.

-> Leeds news Live: Latest breaking news in Leeds right now

​What is Tier 3?

Tier 3 does not apply in Leeds but Mr Johnson said changes could be made to cities later depending on virus infection rates

Tier 3 restrictions mean that pubs, bars, gyms, casinos and adult gaming centres must be immediately shut.

The latest figures show Leeds has an infection rate of around 380, whereas Liverpool is at higher than 500.

Currently, the suggestion is that only Liverpool will be in Tier 3 lockdown, but this could change later.

Local lockdown restrictions must be agreed between government and local council leaders before being announced and applied.

Household mixing in homes AND gardens is banned under Tier 3.

No organised non-professional sports or other communal hobby groups or activities would be permitted, the document also said.

Boris Johnson announced the closure of pubs and bars across Merseyside as he battled to gain control over the coronavirus outbreak.

The Prime Minister launched a three-tier system of local alert levels for England, with the Liverpool city region placed in the most serious “very high” risk category from Wednesday.

-> Would closing pubs and restaurants help? Leeds residents have their say