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Dear Resident,
The government announced on Saturday, 31Â October, that from today, Thursday 5 November, the UK will be going into a national lockdown. The government guidance on the new national restrictions is available here and provides a lot of information and answers to most enquiries.
Latest updates to Leeds restrictions
From Thursday 5 November, you must stay at home, except:
- to shop for essentials, such as food;
- to access health or critical public services;
- to work (if you cannot work from home);
- for education;
- to exercise, with members of your household, on your own or with one other person from outside your household; or
- to provide care for a vulnerable person, or volunteer.
You must avoid meeting people you do not live with, unless they are in your support bubble or as part of a childcare bubble.
All non-essential shops, hospitality venues (with the exception of takeaway services), leisure and sports facilities, entertainment venues, personal care facilities (such as hairdressers, spas and beauticians) and places of worship (apart from for individual prayer, service broadcasting and funerals) must close.
These new measures aim to reduce the growth rate of the virus, which if we all follow them will:
- prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed;
- ensure schools, colleges and universities can stay open; and
- ensure that as many people as possible can continue to work.
However there are some differences with this lockdown than in March:
- Nurseries, schools, colleges and universities will remain open;
- Parks, playgrounds and car parks will remain open;
- There are no limits on the amount of times you can leave your house for exercise, as long as you exercise in a public outdoor space with people you live with, on your own, or with one other person, staying 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household.
The government has revised its guidance on those who are deemed to be clinically vulnerable and could be at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. If you fall into this category, you should:
- be especially careful to follow the rules and minimise your contacts with others; and
- continue to wash your hands carefully and more frequently than usual and maintain thorough cleaning of frequently touched areas in your home and/or workspace.
Government is writing to people who are considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable to Covid-19. It should arrive soon and explains the latest advice. We will also put the information on our Leeds website: www.leeds.gov.uk/shielding. On that page you will also find information on the support in Leeds aimed at helping you stay safe and healthy during this lockdown. Look out for information of the new National Shielding Support Service and register as soon as possible. If you have concerns about accessing food or medicines you can call us on 0113 3760330.
For more information on how the new restrictions will affect Leeds go to https://www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus/our-services
Update on Leeds infection rate
The latest figures for the 7 day infection rate is 429 per 100,000 and the positivity rate is 16.9%. We urge everyone to remain vigilant, keep following the public health advice and adhere to the government’s lockdown restrictions to keep yourself and others safe; and to keep bringing the infection rate down.
Remember to wash your hands, wear a face covering, maintain social distancing and crucially self-isolate if you have a positive test or have contact with someone who has tested positive.
Bonfire Night
This Bonfire Night, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) is urging people NOT to host events or have bonfires at their own private property. Public bonfires traditionally held across Leeds to mark Bonfire Night have been cancelled. The new restrictions mean that on Bonfire Night you are also not allowed to mix indoors or outdoors in any private setting with anyone from outside your household or support bubble.
Garden bonfires can easily get out of control. Not only do these pose a serious risk to yourself, your family and the public, but they also take emergency services away from other potentially life-threatening incidents. Last year WYFRS received over 500 emergency calls on Bonfire Night alone.
Respect the emergency services, respect your neighbours, and respect the new restrictions.
Remembrance Sunday commemorations
Our annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations will look very different this year, due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic.
People are being urged to undertake their own acts of remembrance at home by observing the national two minute silence, displaying an image of a poppy in their windows and watching the pre-recorded Act of Remembrance and wreath laying ceremony with the Lord Mayor, Lord-Lieutenant and Royal British Legion.
Our council buildings will be lit up in red from Friday 6 November in honour of our brave service personnel who have lost their lives in times of conflict and the gates to the war memorial on Victoria Gardens will be open throughout the week of Remembrance (Friday 6-Thursday 12 November) for individuals or families who wish to lay a wreath.
For more information on Remembrance Sunday click here: https://news.leeds.gov.uk/news/remembrance-sunday-commemorations-2020
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