Will closing pubs and restaurants will help reduce the spread of coronavirus? Leeds residents have their say

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to set out a new three-tiered system of coronavirus restrictions on Monday.

The infection rate in Leeds on Friday was 379.9 cases per 100,000 people, Leeds City Council said on Friday.

That's among the highest rates in the country, so it's likely Leeds will be placed in the most severe tier - which would mean closing pubs and restaurants.

But will this move help to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in Leeds?

We asked Yorkshire Evening Post readers on Facebook - here's what they had to say:

Claire Sampson: "I think it will. I totally get the thinking behind it, especially when you see the lack of social distancing once people have had a few too many.

"I'm not saying that's everyone, but it's not everyone that's not social distancing when they have their relatives round, but we are where we are, and unless you have a better idea on how to get the figures down then you just have to do what you're told.

"And that is why we are where we are, because people are more bothered about their civil liberties than they are about everyone's health and the burden on the NHS.

"Nobody likes this, and nobody knows how hard it is on the people trying to keep everyone safe and well, unless you're actually in the thick of it."

Vicky Taylor said: "No - more people are known to have it because thousands more are now tested as they do much as cough and they have to have a test before been allowed back at work.

"Majority of them would have just self isolated if they had symptoms and nobody would ever have counted them in the daily figures.

"More chance of getting it in the supermarket with everyone touching stuff than getting it in the pub sitting on your own table with the drinks brought to you.

"It’s all getting a bit ridiculous. If pubs have to shutdown again - many just won’t reopen cos they can’t afford to.

"Our local is already losing between £6000-£8000 per week due to the restrictions so won’t reopen if it has to close again."

Natalie Franklin said: "No. Science shows this isn’t where majority of infections are happening so it’s pointless and will kill the economy."

Lynne Taylor said: "Not at all all I’ve been in very safe and organised."

Guy Greening said: "Yes! All the outbreaks in our very small town have emerged from pubs because people can not adhere to social distancing when full of alcohol!"

Carl Vale said: "No. Look at all these pointless restrictions and silly rules like wear a mask and this way in and exit only we have already. Cases are still mounting making zero difference"

Deborah Wilson said: "As long as they are operating in a Covid secure way then it’s much better to have them open.

"Stops people breaking the rules and meeting up in their own homes and potentially not maintaining social distancing when maybe mixing households, helps with the economy, maintaining people’s jobs, helps with mental health for individuals meaning they can go out instead of being stuck at home.

"I just don’t think the curfew works - nothing to be gained by shutting at 10pm, just makes people drink more in a shorter time frame, if they are that way inclined.

"In my opinion, safer to be open and regulated than driving some people to meet at home, totally unregulated."

Laura Parkin-Mackenzie said: "If you look at figures the highest rates of infections are in care homes and in education, rates of infection in the hospitality sector are actually low. The virus is here to stay.

"Learn to live with it."