An update on infection rates in Leeds
The overall infection rate is 572.7 per 100,000, up 21% in 7 days. There is some indication this is slowing down compared to other parts of Yorkshire & the Humber, however we expect cases to continue to rise over the summer for potentially a long time due to lifting of restrictions. The Yorkshire & Humber average is 463.4 per 100,000 and the England average is 350.3 per 100,000. Over 60s rate has increased to 127.3 per 100,000, up 61% in 7 days.
How to stay safe from 19 July
The Government has announced that most COVID-19 legal restrictions are set to end in England as part of Step 4 of the Roadmap. From Monday 19 July 2021 there will be no legal requirement to stay 2m apart from people you do not live with. Limits on numbers of people you can meet with will also be removed, as will the instruction to work from home if you can. The legal requirement to wear face coverings will also be lifted.
Thanks to everyone who has done their bit taking up the extra testing and getting the COVID-19 vaccine here in Leeds. COVID-19 continues to be a feature of our lives, so this last step on the roadmap is around learning to live with it and manage the risk to ourselves and others. Rates of COVID-19 infection are high and continue to rise, therefore even after 19 July we should continue to be cautious, help to reduce the risk of spread and protect people at highest risk of serious illness.
 To keep yourself and others safe, the recommendations are that you:
- Limit the contact you have with people you do not usually live with, including keeping the number of people and the time you spend with them low, and not getting too close to them.
- Where possible, meet outdoors and let fresh air into homes and other enclosed spaces.
- Continue to wear face coverings in enclosed and crowded spaces, such as on public transport. Some businesses may also still require you to wear a mask in indoor settings. If they ask, please wear a mask.
 Many people will be excited about the return to the way things were before COVID-19, whilst others, particularly those who are clinically extremely vulnerable and who have been told to take extra precautions, may be more cautious. Think of others when making your own decisions about when to wear a mask and social distance.
Please get both doses of the vaccine when called to make sure you have the highest level of protection. It is also really important that we all continue to reduce the risk of spread by washing hands, socialising outside, getting tested if you have symptoms, isolating if advised to do so and wearing face coverings in high-risk settings such as health and social care services.
Let’s keep working #TogetherLeeds to stop the spread of the virus.
Measures in Leeds schools after 19 July
In Leeds, our school term runs beyond the Step 4 easing of restrictions on 19 July. Government guidance states that schools can choose whether to continue with current COVID-19 safety measures after this date, until the end of the term.
Although schools will make a decision based on their risk assessment and unique circumstances, following discussions with public health and health and safety colleagues, Leeds City Council has advised schools to continue to follow existing risk assessment and control measures until the end of term.
If schools have events and visits before the end of term, they will already have planned these in a COVID-19 secure way and may continue to apply the control measures planned.
Individual schools will confirm their arrangements with their school community.
Vaccination update
All adults in England can now book their COVID-19 vaccination. If you have not already done so you also have the option to bring the appointment for your second jab forward to 8 weeks instead of 12.
Please note that you will need to log in to https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-COVID-19-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or call 119 and cancel your second appointment before you can rebook. Don’t worry, the system will show you the current availability before you cancel.
If you are over 18 you can grab a jab this weekend at:
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338 Trinity Leeds (between Primark and Next) on Saturday from 10:00 – 16:00 for a first dose only.
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Centenary Pavillion (Elland Road), Lowfields Road, Beeston, LS11 0ES Saturday and Sunday 7:30 – 17:30 for a first dose or second (if at least 8 weeks apart).
If you’d like to attend one of the city’s walk-in vaccination clinics, please visit the NHS Leeds website to find the one most convenient for you.
With infection rates continuing to rise, it’s more important than ever to get a COVID-19 vaccination to protect yourself and your community.
Safer Leeds - Antisocial Behaviour Awareness Week (19 - 25 July)
The UK’s first Antisocial Behaviour Awareness Week takes place next week. There has been a huge rise in Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) cases during the national lockdowns, yet more than half of people who experience ASB don’t bother to report it. Leeds City Council’s Safer Stronger Communities team want people across Leeds to work together to take back our communities and make them safer. Tackling ASB is more important than ever we must stand together. Find out more at https://bit.ly/ASBLeeds
Celebrating Eid al-Adha safely
For anyone celebrating, we hope that you have a happy Eid al-Adha and encourage you to celebrate safely during the festivities.
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