Dear resident,
We hope you’re staying safe and keeping well.
Ahead of the city centre reopening on June 15, we will be bringing you important advice on how to stay safe while lockdown restrictions ease along with other helpful information and updates.
City centre reopening
From Monday June 15, shops and businesses across the city will start to reopen. Our main priority remains keeping everyone safe in public spaces and ensuring social distancing measures are in place.
Whilst we continue to work with partners and businesses to ensure the city centre is ready to open in a safe way, there are a number of things you can do to stay safe including washing your hands regularly, using contactless payments where possible, and maintaining social distancing guidelines.
You should only use public transport if necessary and, if you do have to use public transport, you must wear a face covering and should use contactless payment if you can.
As lockdown restrictions ease we are continuing to work with partners to provide essential support to rough sleepers. Direct donations of cash or food have increased health risks for both the person on the street and anyone donating, and can prevent people from accessing the help they really need. Anyone who wishes to show their support by donating can do so at www.bigchangeleeds.co.uk
You can read more about the city centre reopening in our latest news release.
Test and trace
If you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace and told that you have been exposed to an infected person then you must self-isolate for 14 days. If you develop symptoms, you should book a test as soon as possible and your household should also self-isolate.
Find out how to get a test and isolate at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.
Support bubble guidance
From Saturday 13 June, if you live alone or are a single parent with a dependent child, you can form a “support bubble” with one other household. Those in the support bubble can spend time with each other inside the home and do not have to remain 2m apart. More guidance can be found on the government’s website.
Stay active while staying safe
Our Child Friendly Leeds and Active Leeds teams have developed a range of resources and activities to help children and families stay active while staying safe.
People of all ages can access resources to be active in and outside of their homes through the Active Leeds website.
If you do leave your home for exercise, you should keep 2m apart from anyone outside your household and remember to wash your hands when returning home.
Bin collections update
Thank you for your patience as we continue working to collect as much waste as possible.
Since brown bin garden waste collections resumed two weeks ago we have had twice the amount of garden waste to empty and take for composting, and managed to collect 90% of bins as scheduled. Those streets we were unable to collect from on the first round will take priority on their next scheduled collection date. Levels of garden waste are reducing now, and we have additional vehicles out to increase the amount we can collect.
However, black and green bin waste is still far higher than normal levels and remains our priority. Recently our crews emptied over 7,500 tonnes of waste from black, green and brown bins across Leeds in one week, compared to 4,500 tonnes the same week last year. We have never collected as much household waste in one week in Leeds, and at a time when we still have about 10% of refuse staff off work, self-isolating or shielding due to COVID-19.
You can check your bin day online, and all eight Household Waste and Recycling Centres are now open 7 days a week, from 8am to 6pm. All your garden waste can be taken there for free. Remember, you must book to get in via the booking website.
Here are some composting tips which could help you reduce your garden waste.
Composting tips are available here.
Yorkshire mental health helpline
Looking after your mental health and wellbeing is just as important as your physical health. Anyone registered with a Leeds GP can call the new helpline on 0800 183 0558 for support and guidance about their own mental health or the mental health of someone they care for.
And finally...
The Government’s easing of coronavirus restrictions is great news for some of our outdoor attractions! Although our wildlife parks and zoos remain closed for now, we’re looking to reopen soon in a way that is safe for staff, visitors and the animals. You can find out more from our attractions’ individual Facebook pages.
 In the meantime, find out more from this A-Z guide which will keep you updated about all our attractions as they start to open up.
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