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Dear Resident,
The government has launched their new three-tiered system, which aims to standardise local restrictions and control the spread of COVID-19. Leeds has been placed on the ‘high’ middle tier, joining other local authorities who were already subject to local restrictions.
Cases in the city have been showing a consistent upward trend in recent weeks, with the latest seven-day infection rate for Leeds at 407 per 100,000 people with 13.8% of those tested proving positive (as of October 13).
Latest updates to Leeds restrictions
In response to rising cases of the virus in communities across the city, the following updated government restrictions are now in place in Leeds, and should be followed by everyone who has their bins emptied by Leeds City Council:
- Different households must not mix indoors, including in homes, leisure or hospitality venues, in or outside of Leeds.
- Different households can now mix outside, including in parks and private gardens, provided they do not gather in groups of more than six and stay 2m apart from people they do not live with.
- People can still come inside indoor settings (such as your home), for specific purposes, such as for childcare, work or to provide emergency assistance. For the full list of exemptions, please visit our website.
You can still visit, stay overnight and go to public spaces with someone who is in your support bubble. Find out more about setting up a support bubble here.
These are the main changes as part of the updated government restrictions. Please visit our website for full details of what is now in place in Leeds, and refer to the included graphic for a breakdown of how the restrictions impact different venues across the city.
If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, you do not need to shield, but should take extra care to stay safe. Read our advice for shielding residents here.
Additionally, office workers, where possible, should work from home.
 Nationally, hospitalisations for people suffering from COVID-19 are at higher levels than when the first lockdown measures were introduced in March, and Nightingale hospitals across the region, including Harrogate in Yorkshire, have been stood back up in readiness.
We can all do our part to stay safe, save lives and support the NHS by observing the government restrictions and following the below crucial messages:
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Make space and stay 2m away from people you do not live with.
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Wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds.
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Cover your face in enclosed spaces.
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Isolate when you need to or are advised to, and only book a test if you have at least one of the main symptoms (high temperature, new continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste).
Please be aware that the police are able to take action against those who break the updated government restrictions, with fines starting at £200 for the first offence, doubling with each further offence to a maximum of £6,400.
Flu Immunisation Programme
Another way you can support the NHS is by getting a flu jab, if you are eligible. The National Flu Immunisation Programme is essential to protect vulnerable people and support the resilience of the health and care system, particularly in light of the risk of flu and COVID-19 co-circulating this winter.
This year, the free NHS influenza vaccination will be offered to more groups of people, with others to be added later in the year. Check your eligibility here.
There are several types of flu vaccines available. You’ll be offered one that’s recommended for you based on your age. This means some people will be offered a vaccine that’s currently in stock, while others, who need a different type of vaccine, may have to wait. Read this guide for more information on flu vaccine supplies.
Additionally, this video provides a useful overview of flu and its symptoms and effects.
Self-isolation support grants
If you’ve been asked to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace service, and have lost income as a result, you may be entitled to a support payment of £500.
You are eligible if you:
- Have started your isolation period since 28 September 2020.
- Are employed or self-employed.
- Have lost income as a result of staying at home.
- Receive at least one of the qualifying benefits, or have savings of less than £16,000 and are either waiting for a decision on any of the qualifying benefits or are not entitled to claim as you have recently moved to the UK.
For further eligibility details, and to apply online (within 14 days of the end of your self-isolation period), please visit our self-isolation support page.
Quit smoking this October
One You Leeds is supporting the annual quit smoking Stoptober campaign, and helping encourage as many smokers as possible to try and quit this month.
The organisation provides expert advice, as well as access to a range of nicotine replacement therapies (such as patches, inhalers and lozenges), prescription tablets and e-cigarettes. Call 0800 169 4219 or use their enquiries page to make an appointment.
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