Leeds local lockdown: Leeds BID boss calls on Government to simplify ‘frustrating’ Covid-19 rules

Civic leaders in Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester wrote to Health Secretary Matt Hancock this week calling for a change to the new lockdown restrictions which they warn will cripple the local economies further.

Andrew Cooper, the head of Leeds Business Improvement District (BID) has now added its voice to calls from northern council leaders asking government to simplify Covid-19 restrictions.

Government announced last Friday that Leeds would be subject to further Covid-19 restrictions, with individuals no longer being allowed to meet those from other households indoors, while advising households should not meet outdoors either. It follows further government restrictions moving closing times for pubs and restaurants back to 10pm.

This led to a letter signed by Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake, among other leaders, calling on Government to review the rules, claiming the current situation could “create a position which is the worst of both worlds”.

Welcoming the letter, Mr Cooper said: “We share the view that there needs to be adjustments in the restrictions to be fairer to business, many of whom have invested heavily to ensure their operations are Covid safe and compliant only to then be told they can’t operate after 10pm.

“This has led to further issues such all premises emptying out simultaneously putting greater pressure on city centre enforcement. We would advocate a more balanced approach allowing the police and the local authority to channel their enforcement capability where it is most needed to protect public health.

“Allowing restaurants and the on-licensed trade to operate later in safe way by reviewing the curfew would mitigate against unlicensed and unregulated underground parties, fuelled by alcohol sales after 9pm that then potentially cause more risk to the spread of Covid-19.”

He added that restaurants had “great support” the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme, but that the new restrictions would be a blow to the very businesses the scheme had helped.

Mr Cooper added: “It is contradictory that one can’t have a drink in a hotel bar after 10pm but I can order alcohol to my room through an app. delivery service; this type of inconsistency is confusing. It is not a level playing field and businesses feel unfairly treated – they are deeply frustrated.”

In the original letter sent on Monday, council leaders said advisory guidance, calling for households not to meet outdoors, was unenforceable and “undermined efforts to enforce the rule of six”.

It added: “It is legal to socialise in a six with others from your household in venues but the advice is not to and businesses are warned to enforce this. The messaging is contradictory and confusing, it is unenforceable and hugely damaging to businesses together with the effect of undermining public confidence.

“If the Government is not minded to change this stance, there are only two ways to resolve the issue – either make the guidance the law and compensate business appropriately with a package of support – or allow for limited mixing via the rule of six in controlled environments.”

It also called on government to review the 10pm curfew, as many restaurants thrive on the 8-9pm booking slot, adding “Without this we are seeing that it is forcing people into underground parties or houses thus highlighting the problem with no rules or compliance.”