Almost 800,000 in Leeds set to be plunged back into lockdown from midnight
Leeds is expected to be put back into lockdown from midnight tonight as the UK battles against rising coronavirus cases.
New restrictions will see some 793,000 people in Leeds told they cannot mix with different households, its city council leader has said.
Judith Blake said she expected Leeds will be made an ‘area of intervention’, meaning ‘more household restrictions along the lines of those already in force across three of the West Yorkshire districts in Bradford, Kirkless and Calderdale’.
She told reporters: ‘We expect them to come in from midnight.’
It would take the number of people living under local restrictions to more than 16.2 million people across the UK.
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Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council, said: ‘What we are trying to do is give a simple message – you shouldn’t really mix with other households.’
He said the new measures could be in place through the winter and added: ‘I think we know from the experience of Leicester, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire that when these restrictions are brought in they do not tend to be lifted after a week or two.’
Meanwhile, London has been made an ‘area of concern’ and faces the prospect of its own local restrictions, according to London Councils, a cross-party organisation which represents all 32 boroughs and the City of London.
No additional measures will be taken in the city but testing capacity will be boosted to closely monitor the growth of the virus.
In a statement, London Councils urged residents to follow the new Government restrictions introduced on Thursday and said rising cases were a ‘stark reminder that now is time for all Londoners to pull together and take action to keep themselves, their families and their communities safe, and to ensure that London’s economy is protected’.
It added: ‘London boroughs are working with their communities, business and the police to engage, educate, explain and, if necessary, enforce the new restrictions and regulations, and the Government must ensure that it funds these so resources do not need to be drawn from other services.
‘We ask all Londoners to work together and abide by the national restrictions announced on Tuesday.’
And in Wales, people living in Cardiff, Swansea and the town of Llanelli will be placed under lockdown from 6pm on Sunday.
Residents have been told they will not be able to enter or leave each area without a reasonable excuse. They will not be able to meet indoors with anyone they do not live with, with extended households suspended.
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