Leeds local lockdown in force: Everything you need to know as Leeds placed under lockdown restrictions

The measures came into force from midnight on Friday, September 25 .

This is everything you need to know:

Which areas of Leeds are under lockdown?

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

Councillor Judith Blake said: "If you have your bins emptied by Leeds Council you will be included in the restrictions."

-> Local lockdown Leeds: rules explained and your questions answered as new restrictions in placeWhy is Leeds under lockdown?

Leeds is in lockdown due to a rise in positive coronavirus cases across the city.

The latest seven day COVID-19 rate in Leeds is 108 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.

Leeds Council said the infection rate in the city has reached

What do these restrictions mean?

This means 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. This is enforceable by law.

A support bubble is where a household with one adult joins with another household.

Can I visit someone who lives outside of Leeds?

People from Leeds cannot visit someone else's home or garden even if they live outside of Leeds. This is enforceable by law.

What about in pubs restaurants and bars?

People in Leeds should not socialise with people they do not live with in any public venue in Leeds or other cities, the guidance says. This is not law, this is guidance.

Examples of public venues include pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions and parks.

Are there any exemptions?

People can still go inside other people's home for certain reasons.

These include:

- people in the same support bubble

- to attend a birth at the mum's request

- to visit a person who is dying

- for work purposes

- for voluntary or charitable services

- for the purposes of education or training

- for the purposes of childcare

- to provide emergency assistance

-to facilitate a house move

- to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person.

What if my family provide childcare?

Friends and family can still provide informal childcare for children under 14.

What if my child moves between two households?

Existing contact arrangements between parents and children who don't live in the same household will not change under the lockdown.

Can I visit care homes?

People are asked not to visit friends or family in care homes, other than in exceptional circumstances.

Care homes should restrict visits to these circumstances

What did Leeds Council say?

Leeds City Council said restrictions will be continually monitored and reviewed and additional measures could be brought in the coming weeks if required.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council said: “We are acutely aware that nobody wants to see further restrictions placed on life in Leeds and alongside our partners we have been doing absolutely everything within our power to avoid that.

“But the safety of the city and the public simply has to come first and we have now reached a point where we all need to take additional steps to contain the spread of this terrible virus within our communities.

“How long these new measures last and how much further they may need go in the coming weeks and months will depend on everyone playing their part. We know there has already been some excellent partnership work taking place across the city and this will continue to manage outbreaks and help everyone stay safe.

“Building on that sense of community spirit, I’d appeal to everyone to follow these rules, consider the impact your actions could have on others and take your share of the responsibility for protecting our city.”

The new measures come after months of extensive work by agencies and partner groups across the city which has seen increased testing, community engagement and public awareness campaigns. This has also been supported by work alongside the city’s universities to prepare for the imminent arrival of students to start the new university year in Leeds.

Victoria Eaton, Leeds City Council’s Director of Public Health said: “Any restrictions on seeing the people close to you are incredibly difficult to take but these rules have been put in place to protect families, friends and neighbours from a virus which is spreading at a dangerously rapid rate.

“It’s vital that we all play our part in containing that spread by sticking to the latest rules and guidance and ensuring that we don’t put ourselves or each other at unnecessary risk.”

What did the government say?

What did the government say?

Matt Hanock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care said: "As the Covid-19 incidence rate continues to rise across the country, a suite of local and national actions is required to break the trains of transmission and enable people to maintain a more normal way of life.

"The latest data shows a sharp increase in incidence rates per 100,000 population in Leeds, Blackpool, Wigan and Stockport, which are significantly above the national average.

"As a result, we are making regulations which take effect from Saturday, September 26 and will impose restrictions on inter-household mixing in private dwellings and gardens in Leeds, Stockport, Wigan and Blackpool."

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Mr Hancock added: "People who live in these areas will not be allowed to gather in a private dwelling or garden with any other household unless in a support bubble.

"People from anywhere else will also not be allowed to gather with another household in a private dwelling or garden in these areas.

"We have also reviewed the position in Leicester, the Borough of Oadby and Wigston, Birmingham, Solihull, Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Bolton, Bradford, Kirklees, Calderdale and the remaining local authorities in Greater Manchester and have decided to maintain their position on the watchlist as areas of intervention, as well as the current restrictions in these areas.

"This will be difficult news for the people living in these areas, profoundly affecting their daily lives.

"These decisions are not taken lightly, and such measures will be kept under review and in place no longer than they are necessary.

"There are exemptions to these measures so people can still meet with those in their support bubble.

"There are other limited exemptions such as for work purposes or to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person."

How long will Leeds be under lockdown?

Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council,, said he expects national restrictions to be in place throughout winter.

There has not been a specific length of time given in relation to the Leeds lockdown.

Mr Riordan said: “What we are trying to do is give a simple message – you shouldn’t really mix with other households.”

He said about 780,000 people will come under the new measures which could be in place through the winter.

Mr Riordan added: “I think we know from the experience of Leicester, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire that when these restrictions are brought in they do not tend to be lifted after a week or two.”

Similar restrictions in nearby Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees have been in place since midnight from July, 31.

Some areas within those cities and towns were lifted from restriction, however, they were placed back in last week.