Latest update from Leeds City Council and including Leeds’ infection rates, the new restriction rules and rapid testing for everyone.
His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh
It is with deep sadness and sorrow that Leeds joins the country in mourning following the announcement from Buckingham Palace that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has passed away.
The Royal Family are encouraging safe tributes with an online book of condolence and are suggesting charitable donations instead of flowers.
Read our statement regarding the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh here: https://news.leeds.gov.uk/
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, our Covid rate is now 78.3 per 100,000 (down 34% in the last week), but this is still above the England average of 31.9. The new UK variant spreads very easily.
The recent figures also show that we have falling infections among over-60s (26.1 per 100, 22% lower this week).
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/fresh air, test/trace/isolate rules, and keep working #TogetherLeeds
Information to support businesses and individuals can be found on the council website.
Update as COVID-19 restrictions ease on 12th April
Leeds will move into a new phase of relaxing lockdown restrictions next week as council services, along with more shops and businesses, start to reopen and welcome back the public.
The changes to restrictions will mean businesses, including non-essential shops and gyms, can reopen along with outdoor hospitality and some outdoor attractions.
Indoor venues can only be visited alone or with household groups, with outdoor settings limited to either six people or two households. Even though being outdoors is safer, there is still a risk of catching the virus.
Social distancing, hand hygiene and other safety measures will remain in place, including COVID marshals and hand sanitiser stations in the city centre. Members of the public are urged to follow the latest guidance to keep COVID-19 rates under control and ensure Leeds keeps heading in the right direction.
For more info on the easing of restrictions go to: https://news.leeds.gov.uk/
The latest updates on individual council services can be found at: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/
Work along the Headrow has been ongoing for some time with completion due in May. Changes include more appealing alternatives to the car, with quicker and more reliable bus services, ensuring that journeys on foot and by bike are more convenient, attractive and safer by widening pavements, cycle lines and making safer road crossings.
More info about the changes and what to expect can be found here- https://news.leeds.gov.uk/
Vaccine update
Vaccinations are in progress, with over 350,000 people in Leeds having received the jab as of 30 March (about 48% of the population) and more than 59,000 people have had their second jab but new infections are still happening.
Analysis carried out by Public Health England suggests that the COVID-19 vaccination programme prevented 6,100 deaths in England up to the end of February 2021. It is crucial that we all get the vaccine when we are ready and able to do so to help stop the spread of the virus but whether or not you’ve had your vaccine, we all need to keep following the restrictions and continuing to follow the hands/face/space safety measures.
More information around vaccinations can be found at the Leeds CCG website.
Through April we are focusing on going back over JCVI cohorts 1 – 9 to ensure everyone who is eligible is offered a vaccine and has access to the necessary information to make an informed decision.
As per national guidance we can’t book anyone in for their first vaccine who falls outside of the JCVI 1 -9 cohorts
We are encouraging all of those eligible in cohorts 1-9 who have yet to receive a vaccination or without an existing appointment book their vaccine online, by calling 119 or contacting their GP.
Those who are eligible no longer need to wait to be invited.
Safe Ramadan
Ramadan Kareem.
With Covid19 restrictions still ongoing, 2021 Ramadan (12/13 April to 12/13 May) will be a very different experience for British Muslims.
Whilst the restrictions will be more relaxed compared to 2020, many of the usual practices normally observed, particularly visiting friends and family indoors, will sadly still not be possible this year.
We ask Leeds residents to make sure every Iftar is a safe one by following COVID-19 guidelines. For the latest information on how to stay safe, please visit gov.uk.
COVID-19 Spot The Signs
A new set of translated films about spotting Covid-19 symptoms, how to get a test, and the support available if you have to self-isolate are now ready to view on the Coronavirus Information in Different Languages playlist on YouTube. The films are called COVID-19 Spot The Signs and have been translated into the top 12 most spoken languages in Leeds.
Rapid testing for everyone
Around 1 in 3 people who have Covid-19 don’t have any symptoms. This is why regular rapid testing is so important to prevent the spread of the virus and help us return to normality.
From today (9 April), everyone in England, including those without symptoms, will be able to take a free rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) test twice a week.
You will be able to access regular testing through:
- a home ordering service, which allows people to order lateral flow tests online to be delivered to their home
- workplace testing programmes, on-site or at home ( to apply is 12 April)
- community testing, offered by all local authorities – updates on community testing sites in Leeds will be published soon
- collection at a local PCR test site during specific test collection time windows
- pharmacies offering home test collection
- testing on-site at Leeds Beckett University
- testing on-site at schools and colleges
More info here: https://www.gov.uk/government/
