Where are the boundaries of Leeds and which areas will go into lockdown? Council clears up rules

The new rules ban households from mixing in private homes and gardens in Leeds, due to a sharp rise in coronavirus cases across the city.

The restrictions are enforceable by law and those who do not comply could face a fine of £100 or £200 for a first offence.

Local lockdown measures are already in place in Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees - but no local restrictions have been announced for neighbouring Wakefield or North Yorkshire.

Where are the boundaries of Leeds and which areas will go into lockdown?

The new restrictions will apply across the whole of the Leeds district.

A handy map outlines the city's boundary and Leeds City Council has issued guidance on which households are affected by the local lockdown.

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

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

For example, if you live in a Wakefield postcode but pay council tax to Leeds City 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.”

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Laura Collins