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Dear resident,
We hope you’re keeping safe and well.
This week we are providing advice on when to wear a face covering, an update on the re-opening of our playgrounds, and information about an urgent schools transport consultation which parents and carers are being asked to complete.
Face coverings
From today (Friday 24 July) face coverings are mandatory when in shops and supermarkets, as well as on public transport and when using taxis or private hire vehicles. It has also been announced that people must wear face coverings when in enclosed transport hubs such as bus and railway stations, ports, terminals and airports.
A face covering is something that covers your mouth and nose. Under the new rules, people who do not wear a face covering will face a fine of up to £100. Children under 11 and those with certain disabilities will be exempt.
Should someone without an exemption refuse to wear a face covering, a shop can refuse them entry and can call the police. If people refuse to comply, police can issue a £100 fine.
If you are using public transport and are exempt from wearing a face covering, you can download an assistance card to help communicate this to staff on bus and rail services in West Yorkshire. You can print them off or take a picture on your phone to show staff.
Full guidance, including other exemptions, and how to make your own face covering, is available at the Government’s website.
For information on how to use a face covering correctly, watch this video.
Play areas and playgrounds in Leeds begin phased reopening
Children’s play areas and playgrounds in Leeds have begun a phased reopening.
The reopening programme is being done gradually to ensure all play areas and playgrounds meet the requirements set out in government guidance around cleaning and social distancing to allow them to reopen safely.
The following parks were reopened yesterday (Thursday 23 July):
- The playground at the Arium
- The playground and adventure playground at Lotherton Hall
- The playground at Middleton Park
- The two playgrounds at Roundhay Park along with outdoor gym equipment
- The playground at Temple Newsam.
All other play areas and playgrounds remain closed at this time.
There are more than 200 play areas and outdoor gyms across Leeds, with over 2,000 pieces of equipment, so we are currently only able to open playgrounds at sites which have a staff presence
The public toilets at Golden Acre Park, Roundhay Park, Lotherton Hall and Temple Newsam have also reopened, with increased cleaning schedules.
We would like to thank the public for their patience.
For more information, visit our webpage.
Views urgently sought on school travel arrangements for September 2020
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is asking parents to help inform plans for travel when all children return to school in September.
To maintain social distancing, buses and trains are currently only able to carry around half their usual number of passengers. This means plans need to be made for the additional journeys that will be made as children return to school in September.
For more information and to complete the survey, please visit the Combined Authority’s website.
Shielding
From 1 August, the Government will pause shielding unless the transmission of COVID-19 in the community starts to rise significantly.
If you have been shielding you may still be at risk of severe illness if you catch coronavirus, so stay at home as much as you can and continue to take precautions when you do go out. You can do this by washing your hands regularly, avoiding touching your face and keeping 2 metres away from people outside of your household or bubble wherever possible.
If you are returning to your workplace, talk to you employer about what precautions are in place to keep you safe.
For the latest advice and support for shielding, visit our website or call the Leeds Coronavirus Helpline on 0113 378 1877.
And finally…
In honour of the managerial mastermind whose Leeds United side have just p-p-picked up a place in the Premier League, staff at Lotherton Wildlife World have decided to name one of their Humboldt penguin chicks Bielsa!
Wildlife World has recently fully reopened to the public after closing to help contain the spread of coronavirus.
Find out more here at our website.
As the lockdown eases we are preparing to open more of our services. To keep up-to-date with which services have re-opened, visit our website.
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