Will Leeds go back into Tier 3 lockdown after Lockdown 2? What we know right now

The national lockdown 2 is due to end on December 2 and today the government announced the first details of a new three tier system.

Leeds is in Tier 3, the strictest lockdown tier, from December 2.

The announcement trickled out on Thursday morning via the government's postcode checker and will be confirmed in Parliament.

Unfortunately, Leeds as a city is classed as high risk. Under the revised three tier system for England, Leeds is likely to be placed into Tier 3, the strictest tier of restrictions.

That will mean pubs, bars and restaurants will have to be delivery and collection only, and hotels will have to close.

Household mixing will still be banned, but non-essential shops, gyms and hairdressers will be allowed to reopen.

Leeds was due to be placed into the previous Tier 3 in November until the national lockdown was announced which over-rode the local system.

As of Friday, Leeds' infection rate was 439 per 100,000 people, which is slightly lower than it was when the Tier 3 change was announced for Leeds, but it remains high.

Confirmation of which areas will be placed into Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 of the new system will come on Thursday, November 26.

Ministers will set out what tier each area will be placed into on Thursday and MPs are expected to be given the vote to approve the new tiering system, as promised by Mr Johnson, in the days before it comes into force.

They are optimistic that restrictions can be gradually reduced in the run-up to spring, providing vaccines are approved by regulators, allowing a plan for the roll-out to begin next month before a wider programme in the new year.

What Leeds Council and the official figures say about the return of Tier 3 lockdown

A spokesman for Leeds Council told the Yorkshire Evening Post that it has not yet been confirmed if Leeds is going back into Tier 3 in December.

Tiered restrictions in Leeds are likely to come into effect at the end of lockdown 2 unless things change "dramatically", a Leeds councillor said.

Hunslet and Riverside councillor Paul Wray said that 7,999 pupils and 607 members of school staff members were self-isolating due to coronavirus across the city.

The pattern of outbreaks across Leeds was "what we would expect given the level of community transmission across the city", his report added.

He said: "With our infection rate at 441 per 100,000 and positivity standing at 15.8%, the expectation is that at the end of the second lockdown on the 2nd December, Leeds will re-enter a Tier with restrictions unless case rates and positivity changes dramatically."

On Friday, November 20, Leeds hit a grim new record for daily deaths in hospitals, with 36 Covid deaths recorded in a single day.

What will the new local lockdown system look like and what will Tier 3 rules be?

Under the new system, bars and restaurants will not be allowed to open to customers in Tier 3 areas (which is what Leeds is expected to be in).

Pubs, bars and restaurants will be allowed to open as takeaways and for collection and delivery, though.

Hotels will have to close in Leeds and other Tier 3 areas, and 'all forms of hospitality' except for delivery and takeaways.

Outdoor sports and business events will also not be allowed to take place in Leeds, and Leeds United will have to continue playing behind closed doors at Elland Road.

Outlining the tiers, Boris Johnson said: “In particular, in Tier 1 people should work from home wherever possible.

“In Tier 2, alcohol may only be served in hospitality settings as part of a substantial meal.

“In Tier 3, indoor entertainment, hotels and other accommodation will have to close, along with all forms of hospitality except for delivery and takeaways.”

Mr Johnson added that he is “very sorry” for the “hardship” that such restrictions will cause business owners.

“So from the 10pm closing time… we’re going to change so that it is last orders at 10 with closing at 11.

“In tiers 1 and 2 spectator sports and business events will be free to resume inside and outside with capacity limits and social distancing, providing more consistency with indoor performances in theatres and concert halls.

“We’ll also strengthen the enforcement ability of local authorities, including specially trained officers and new powers to close down premises that pose a risk to public health.”