The city could never have predicted the year that was to come, with coronavirus spreading across communities and having a profound impact on many lives. As 2020 draws to a close, we revisit the defining moments of the pandemic in Leeds - from lockdowns to cheering for our NHS. Here's how the pandemic unfolded, in 20 pictures:
7.
Shoppers queue outside Primark on June 15 as non-essential shops reopened. Some pupils had returned to school and the infection rate continued to fall in Leeds Photo: Bruce Rollinson
8.
Dubbed ‘Super Saturday’, pubs, bars and restaurants reopened for the first time on July 4, along with hairdressers and beauty salons. Photo: James Hardisty
9.
A shopper wears a mask on Briggate. It may seem second nature to us now, but face masks were only made compulsory in shops on July 24. Photo: James Hardisty
10.
Diners enjoyed a 50% discount off food at The New Conservatory during the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme in August. Leeds was buzzing with people again, with queues forming outside many of the city's restaurants Photo: James Hardisty
11.
By September, the Covid infection rate was rising week-on-week. The first local lockdown was enforced September 25, with indoor household mixing banned once again Photo: James Hardisty
12.
University students returned to Leeds at the end of September, pictured here in Hyde Park during Freshers Week. Major Covid outbreaks occurred in student areas such as Hyde Park, Woodhouse and Headingley - with rates in these areas as high as 4,500 new cases per 100,000 people by October. Photo: Gerard Binks