Leeds local lockdown: Leaders pressure government to change 'confusing' new rules

Civic leaders from across the north have joined forces in an emphatic call for a change to the new lockdown restrictions which they warn could cripple already struggling local economies.
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Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake and chief executive Tom Riordan have united with their counterparts in Liverpool and Manchester - which are also subject to local lockdowns - to pen a powerful letter to Health Secretary Matt Hancock calling into question the efficacy of the new “confusing and contradictory” restrictions and warning they could lead to the cities “falling into a state of decline”.

The letter cites worrying figures which show footfall in the city centres has been slashed in half, with worst-hit areas down by up to 70 per cent, along with a 30 per cent reduction in hotel occupancy and restaurants and pubs currently hit by “significant” numbers of cancellations.

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Click here to read the letter in fullHighlighting the need to strike a balance between protecting public health as well as businesses, the letter says: “The stark reality is that these businesses are facing the prospect of a complete decimation in trade, not just in the short term but as we look ahead to the sector’s traditional lifeblood of the Christmas period and almost certainly continuing into the spring/summer of next year which we know with certainty will result in mass market failure, huge levels of redundancies and depleted and boarded up high streets.”

Leeds was put into local lockdown, with new restrictions, at midnight on Friday September 25.Leeds was put into local lockdown, with new restrictions, at midnight on Friday September 25.
Leeds was put into local lockdown, with new restrictions, at midnight on Friday September 25.

While the new restrictions - which came into force in Leeds at midnight on Friday - make it against the law for households to mix in private houses or gardens, that is not the case for other venues - such as parks, attractions, pubs and restaurants - where households are merely “advised” not to mix, which businesses are expected to enforce. Yet, in line with the rest of the country, it remains legal to socialise in groups of up to six.

This discrepancy has been branded “contradictory and confusing” by the council leaders, who warn it is unenforceable and threatens an economic impact on the hospitality sector which will be “huge” and “disproportionate”.

Their letter argues that by not permitting the mixing of households in carefully-controlled businesses following the rule of six, it is creating the “worst of both worlds”, where some people will continue to flout the rules but most will simply stay at home - leading to dire consequences for the cities’ economies and also potentially infection rates.

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It says: “It is almost a return to lockdown in anything but name. The evidence is suggesting that the measures are simply leading to more household mixing as it drives the act of socialising illicit underground rather than in the COVID-safe environment of table service in well-managed restaurants/pubs. Indeed, in some areas where the restrictions have been imposed, the level of infections has actually increased.”

Coun Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council. Picture: Simon HulmeCoun Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council. Picture: Simon Hulme
Coun Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council. Picture: Simon Hulme

While acknowledging that "the imposition of additional targeted measures in our cities is our best defence" and emphasising the leaders stand "shoulder to shoulder" with the Government, the letter calls on the Health Secretary to:

*Recognise the “advisory” guidance is unenforceable, “hugely damaging” to businesses and undermines public confidence;

*Change the stance or make it law, with a compensatory support package for businesses, or allow limited mixing via the rule of six;

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*Review the 10pm curfew - a critical time for restaurants with 40 per cent of trade based on the 8-9pm second sitting booking slot and potentially driving late-night socialising underground.

Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council. Picture: Tony JohnsonTom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council. Picture: Tony Johnson
Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council. Picture: Tony Johnson

*Engage with local authorities and businesses to help “get the messaging right”.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We are working closely with local councils and public health teams to take a targeted and localised approach where cases are high.

“PHE (Public Health England), the JBC (Joint Biosecurity Centre) and NHS Test and Trace are constantly monitoring the levels of infection, we know a large number are occurring in indoor settings outside of the home and we will introduce legal restrictions where and when it is appropriate.

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“The whole country has a role to play and our message is clear – get a test if you are symptomatic, follow social distancing rules and think hands, face, space.”

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Thank you

Laura Collins

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