This week’s update, including infection rates, the vaccination programme and the changes to restrictions.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKLEEDS/bulletins/2c6d14b

There’s never been a better time to quit – and if you’re worried about how you’ll cope, quitting can actually improve your mental wellbeing, as well as your physical health.  

Many smokers believe that smoking helps to relieve stress, anxiety and low mood, when in fact the opposite is true. Today, for the first time, the national No Smoking Day campaign will focus on the significant benefits of quitting for mental health and wellbeing. This is the start of a new conversation that feels particularly relevant as we set our sights towards the national recovery from COVID-19. Find out more here: https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2021/03/10/time-to-talk-about-smoking-and-mental-health-in-a-pandemic-no-smoking-day-2021/

For help and support in Leeds visit https://oneyouleeds.co.uk/be-smoke-free/ or call 0800 169 4219

In the past year, One You Leeds – the city’s stop smoking service – has seen a significant increase in the number of people accessing support. Meanwhile nationally, over half a million people have made a quit attempt since the COVID-19 outbreak.

Smokers risk a range of serious long-term health problems.

Most importantly at this time, smoking impairs lung function, making it more difficult for the body to fight off diseases such as COVID 19. Furthermore, the repetitive hand-to-mouth motion associated with smoking provides an easy route of entry, putting smokers at greater risk of contracting the virus.

Wider health benefits of stopping smoking include improved circulation, breathing and mental health – as well as a significantly reduced risk of cancer.

The Government has announced detailed plans for the unlocking of England amid the coronavirus vaccination programme. Here is the proposed timetable, in four stages, and other initiatives announced by Downing Street.

After the first step each following step could be subject to delay as they will continually review the data and the scientific advice

All the changes will be England-wide with no return to regional tiers. The only exception could be localised efforts if a new variant of the virus is detected, for example additional testing.

Step 1, part 1 – on 8 March

• All pupils and college students return fully, with before- and after-school clubs opened. For a period, secondary school pupils and older will wear masks in classes.

• People can meet one other person outside for, say, a coffee or picnic, not just for exercise. Children will still count towards this.

• Care home residents can receive one regular, named visitor.

• The “stay at home” order will otherwise stay in place.

Step 1, part 2 – on 29 March

• Outdoor gatherings allowed of up to six people, or two households if this is larger, not just in parks but also gardens.

• Outdoor sport for children and adults will be allowed including outdoor swimming pools.

• The official stay at home order will end, but people will be encouraged to stay local – the definition of local will largely be left to people’s discretion.

• People will still be asked to work from home where possible, with no overseas travel allowed beyond the current small number of exceptions.

Step 2 – no earlier than 12 April

• Reopening of non-essential retail, hair and nail salons, and public buildings such as libraries and museums.

• Most outdoor venues open, including pubs and restaurants but only for outdoor tables and beer gardens. Customers will have to be seated but there will be no need to have a meal with alcohol.

• Also reopening will be settings such as zoos and theme parks. However, social contact rules will apply here, so no indoor mixing between households and limits on outdoor mixing.

• Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms and pools also open but again people can only go alone or with their own household.

• Reopening of holiday lets with no shared facilities, but only for one household.

• Funerals can have up to 30 attendees, while weddings, receptions and wakes can have 15.

Step 3 – no earlier than 17 May

• Most mixing rules lifted outdoors, with a limit of 30 people meeting in parks or gardens.

• Indoor mixing will be allowed, up to six people or, if it is more people, two households.

• Indoor venues such as the inside of pubs and restaurants, hotels and B&Bs, play centres, cinemas and group exercise classes will reopen. The new indoor and outdoor mixing limits will remain for pubs and other hospitality venues.

• This will be the earliest date at which international holidays could resume, subject to a review

• For sport, indoor venues can have up to 1,000 spectators or half capacity, whichever is lower; outdoors the limit will be 4,000 people or half capacity, whichever is lower. Very large outdoor seated venues, such as big football stadiums, where crowds can be spread out, will have a limit of 10,000 people, or a quarter full, whichever is fewer.

• Weddings will be allowed a limit of 30 people, with other events such as christenings and barmitzvahs also permitted.

Step 4 – no earlier than 21 June

• All legal limits removed on mixing will be removed and the last sectors to remain closed, such as nightclubs, will reopen. Large events can take place.

• There are likely to be changes to wider social distancing measures but this will be decided in a separate review

Thank you to The Guardian for this summary – their original article can be seen here https://www.theguardian.com/…/step-by-step-how-england…

The latest Coronavirus update from Leeds CIty Council. Including infection rates, shielding and information about a new testing programme taking place in the city to track potential new variants.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKLEEDS/bulletins/2c2731d