Message from Leeds City Council (from yesterday)

Dear resident,

We hope you’re safe and keeping well.

This week we have an update for you on the new restriction rules, advice for people who are shielding and information on business grants.

An update on Leeds’ infection rates

Every Leeds resident makes a difference to Covid infection rates in our city. When you continue to follow the government guidance, meet fewer people outdoors and stay local, you help to keep everyone safe.

There is a lot to look forward to, as we move ahead on the government roadmap towards fewer restrictions, but we need to be cautious and keep infection rates low.

We’re making real progress in Leeds, but our Covid rate is now 117.8 per 100,000 (up from 102.1 last week), and above the England average of 54.9. The new UK variant spreads very easily, and outbreaks are occurring in workplaces and high schools.

The recent figures show that fewer people are in hospital, and fewer outbreaks are happening in care homes, with falling infections among over-60s (31.7 per 100,000 12% lower this week).

Vaccinations are in progress, with over 349,000 people in Leeds having received the jab as of 30 March (about 48% of the population) but new infections are still happening.

As restrictions relax, it’s even more important to remember that people are still vulnerable. Please act as though you have the virus, follow the hands/face/space, test/trace/isolate rules, and keep working.

More information around vaccinations and testing can be found on the Leeds CCG website. Information to support businesses and individuals can be found on the council’s website.

This week, the government has taken a step to gradually ease lockdown restrictions. Although the “Stay At Home” rule has ended, you are still expected to minimise travel and work from home wherever possible. If you cannot work from home, minimise your number of journeys and avoid commuting during busy times.

Travelling abroad will remain prohibited unless for a small number of permitted reasons which does not include holidays.

You are now able to:

Attend outdoor gatherings (including in private gardens) of either six people (the rule of six) or two households.

Visit outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts, open-air swimming pools and attend formally organised outdoor sports. Temple Newsam and Roundhay golf courses are reopening too.

With the bank holiday weekend upon us, it’s a great time to catch up with loved ones, but please follow the guidance on staying local, only travelling when absolutely necessary and meeting outdoors only.

It is really important to consider that the UK variant of Covid passes from one person to another much more easily than other strains of the virus. Around 1 in 3 people have coronavirus without displaying the symptoms which means that if one person in a group or household has the virus, it’s much more likely they will pass it on to others.

The government has issued guidance on meeting outdoors and research suggests that the risk of infection is significantly lower in fresh air than indoors.

So as restrictions relax we must keep following the guidelines, act as if we have the virus, and remember – hands, face, space and fresh air.

For more information, visit: http://orlo.uk/Rl8Q8

If you are celebrating Easter this weekend, please continue to follow the current national restrictions. If you plan to meet with friends and family outdoors, remember to follow the ‘rule of six’, to wash your hands and to remain 2 metres apart from those you don’t live with.

If you’re planning to visit one of the parks in Leeds, please remember to take your rubbish home with you and leave the area how you found it.

Wishing all that are celebrating a Happy Easter.