Leeds in local lockdown - everything we know right now

The restrictions come after a surge in positive coronavirus cases across the city.It follows a similar lockdown in Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale that has been in place since August.

Leeds City Council announced the news in a meeting on Friday afternoon and the Government confirmed it at 6pm.

What has Leeds Council announced?

Council Leader Judith Blake says 'we are in a time of fast moving changes which affect us all. We are in a situation with the rest of the country implementing the rule of six.

"The curfew came in at 10pm last night and I understand we had good compliance with that regulation.

"I understand that the four medical officers for the UK have put out a statement saying we are at the start of a second wave.

-> Local lockdown Leeds: rules explained and your questions answered as new restrictions in place"We haven’t had a formal announcement from government yet. We have the expectation that we will be asked to move into a different category.

"Our understanding is that we will be moved onto the Area of Intervention list, which means we will see more household restrictions in line with Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale.

When will the lockdown begin?

It will begin from midnight.

Which areas of Leeds are included?

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

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

What does the lockdown mean?

The lockdown means there will be no mixing between households.

Tom Riordan says: "The rule of 6 and curfew are all exactly the same in Leeds.

"The additional factor is about no household mixing within your own home or garden.

"That’s the law. Outside, in pubs and restaurants, it’s the strong advice. There’s fines if you don’t do what the restriction says within your own home. But the guidance is that you shouldn’t mix with others in pubs and restaurants.

"If you have a social bubble, if you have childcare, if you have children in two separate households, if you’re having work done on your home, etc, there are exceptions.

“But the message is: you shouldn’t really mix with other households. The clarity of the bottom line is what we are trying to get to.”

Why has Leeds been put under lockdown?

It has been placed under lockdown due to a rise in confirmed Covid-19 cases.

Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health says: "Our focus is on protecting the most vulnerable in Leeds and we will continue to do that.

"The work across the city will continue around the things we know make the most difference.

"Compliance with isolation is still too low at the moment but we want to find ways to support people to isolate.

"The expectation is restrictions will be in place for a long time, possibly right through the winter.

"We want to make sure we get through the winter with the virus and with the restrictions.

"As much as possible we have to balance all the restrictions with infection control with the broader health and wellbeing of people.

“Even though the restrictions are important, the only way we are going to make it work is to know they are just one part of what we need to do, including rigorous hand washing and maintaining social distancing.”

What has the government announced?

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 Government will act swiftly and decisively to limit further spread, reduce disruption and contain local outbreaks.

"The Local Action Committee Command structure has been reviewing the latest evidence, working with local leaders and the scientific community to assess the data and whether further evidence is required.

"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."