While no new coronavirus lockdown restrictions have been put in place for Leeds this week, everyone must "play their part" to limit the spread of the infection, the city's health boss has said.

Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Covid-19 infection rates in Leeds now stand at 78.3 per 100,000 people, with 7.1% of those testing proving positive, according to Leeds City Council.

Victoria Eaton, director of public health for Leeds, says: "I cannot stress enough how important it is for everyone to play their part.

"We can only stop further spread of the virus if everyone knows their responsibilities and is supported to reduce their contacts.

"So many people are doing what they can. We need everyone following the rules and paying particular attention to the new rule of six."

Ms Eaton says people must "remember the importance of personal hygiene and safe behaviour in helping control the virus, in particular with handwashing and social distancing."

Selby and Scarborough have been described as an "area of concern" because of a rising coronavirus infection rate. But what does that mean?

An area of concern is the first level of intervention in a three-step process, according to the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum (NYLRF).

It means government agencies are working more closely with NYLRF and communities to try to prevent, contain and reduce the spread of the virus.

This is different to what are known as areas of intervention or areas of enhanced support.

An area of concern doesn't face additional lockdown requirements, like pub curfews, so long as people act to contain and reduce the spread of the virus.

This means people living in Scarborough and Selby people are being asked to:

• Continue to wash your hands
• Maintain social distancing and avoid large crowds
• Wear a mask or face covering when possible
• Do not breach the "rule of six"
• Only get a test if you have symptoms, unless directed to do so

The government has been asked to "reconsider" its decision to impose lockdown restrictions on the whole of the Kirklees district from next week, the council leader says.

Image source, Reuters/Toby Melville

From Tuesday, people in all parts of Kirklees - not just those already affected by local lockdowns - will be banned from socialising with people from outside their households or support "bubble" in private homes or gardens.

Some parts of Kirklees have been exempt from restrictions on gatherings which had previously been imposed, but those wards are now also subject to the ban from 22 September, it's been confirmed.

Councillor Shabir Pandor, Kirklees Council leader says: "I know how difficult this news will be to hear. It’s an incredibly tough sacrifice to have to make.

"Since the restrictions were first introduced in July, I have said we will work in partnership with government and have continuously asked for the rationale on how they make these decisions.

"We’re also concerned that frequent changes in restrictions could have a serious impact on the effectiveness of them, but also people’s mental health. A better understanding of how data is interpreted could help us prevent this in the future."

As a result, Mr Pandor says that Kirklees' Outbreak Control Board has now written to the govenrment asking for the most recent restrictions to be reconsidered as well as asking for an explanation of "the rationale for the extra restrictions the whole of Kirklees is now under".

He adds: "We’re looking forward to continuing to work well with government, as we have done throughout the pandemic, so we can keep people safe and get our freedoms back."

People are being asked to "play their part" after two areas of North Yorkshire were placed on the coronavirus "watch list".

Scarborough and Selby have been designated as "areas of concern" because of a growing infection rate, the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum (NYLRF) said.

This means if the virus isn't controlled, more serious intervention measures could be put in place.

NYLRF chair, Richard Flinton, said: “We want people living across North Yorkshire and York to be able to go about their lives, but we are asking they do that with a heightened awareness of the risks and while taking on some simple precautionary measures to protect themselves and everyone else.

"We are doing everything it is possible for us to do to keep the county’s residents, communities and businesses out of more serious lockdown measures and we are asking everyone to help so we can protect our freedoms."

Mr Flinton said people's everyday decisions affect the infection rate.

Meanwhile, Selby District Council chief executive, Janet Waggott, said: "We all need to play our own part to act against this rise in infection rates.

"Keeping to the new rule of six, maintaining distance from others, wearing a face covering where appropriate, and washing our hands more often for longer - all things we should all be doing, all of the time," she added.

No new coronavirus lockdown restrictions have been imposed on Leeds this week but the city could face further limits this time next week if infections continue to rise, the council says.

Image source, Reuters/Phil Noble

People are now being urged to do "everything they can" to help stop the spread of the virus as the city remains in enhanced support.

Leeds will be reconsidered for stricter rules this time next week, according to Leeds City Council.

Covid-19 infection rates in Leeds now stand at 78.3 per 100,000 people, with 7.1% of those testing proving positive, the council says.

Council leader Judith Blake says the city is now at a "crucial point".

"We need everyone to get behind the mammoth effort we’ve been making as a city to help slow these alarming rates and keep us all safe," she says.

"This means following the guidelines, observing the new rule of six and keeping safety at the front of our minds at all times.

"Concerted efforts have been increasingly stepped up across the city to tackle the spread of the virus...But we cannot do this without everyone joining in," she adds.

People in parts of West Yorkshire already affected by local coronavirus lockdown measures will be banned from socialising with people from outside their own households from next week, it's been confirmed.

Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Further restrictions are being introduced in West Yorkshire, as well as parts of the North West and the Midlands, in a bid to curb rising infection rates.

The new restrictions in Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale will be in force from Tuesday and will see people banned from socialising with people from outside their own households or support "bubble" in private homes and gardens.

Some wards in those districts had been exempt from restrictions on gatherings introduced at the start of August, but these wards will now also be subject to the ban, it's been confirmed.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock said: "We are seeing cases of coronavirus rise fast in Lancashire, Merseyside, West Yorkshire, Warrington, Halton and Wolverhampton.

"Local leaders in these areas have asked for stronger restrictions to be put in place to protect local people, and we are acting decisively to support them.

"I know these restrictions will make every-day life harder for many, but I know that residents will work together and respect the rules so we can reduce rates of transmission," he added.

Meanwhile, Selby and Scarborough in North Yorkshire are now also considered "areas of concern".

This CCTV image has been released of a man police want to speak to after a 21-year-old man was assaulted when he refused to let a queue-jumper go ahead of people waiting for a taxi in Barnsley.

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

The victim was waiting for a taxi on Market Hill at about 02:15 on Monday 31 August when he was assaulted, according to South Yorkshire Police.

PC Davey Mitchell said: “It's reported the offender was offering people cash to jump the queue. When the victim challenged him, he was punched in the face.“The victim suffered significant facial injuries and has also required extensive dental work as a result of the incident.”

Anyone who recognises the man in the image is being asked to contact police.

The government has rejected a request by Leeds City Council for a curfew to be imposed in the city in response to a growth in the number of Covid-19 cases in the city, the BBC understands.

Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire

The council had asked ministers whether it could be given the go-ahead to close bars and pubs at 22:00, but have no other extra restrictions placed on the city.

It's understood that Leeds City Council had looked at how the restrictions in the North West worked and decided a curfew was a measure that could work.

However, the government was reluctant to have another different regional variation in lockdown rules, it's understood.

Leeds is expected to hear later whether any extra measures will be imposed in the city.

BBC Yorkshire's Political Editor James Vincent says: "In the North, we've now got a patchwork of restrictions. Your street might have certain rules - but they might be different to your mates a few miles away.

"The government doesn't sound keen to have another variation of the measures in another northern city.

"Leeds had been looking at the restrictions elsewhere and trying to see if they were working. They settled on asking the government if they could close bars and restaurants early but escape other rules on people meeting in homes.

"There's a feeling that telling people they can't visit others isn't quite working.

"Leeds wanted to try and come up with their own plan, but that was rejected. How many different types of 'lockdown' will we have before we see stricter regional or even national rules?"

The charity Help for Heroes has confirmed a recovery centre for veterans will stay closed for the foreseeable future.

Phoenix House at Catterick Garrison supports servicemen and women from across the North East as they recover from mental and physical traumas while in service.

The charity says Covid-19 has accelerated the need for it to shift services online and says jobs are now at risk but it is consulting with staff.

The decision comes at a time when Help For Heroes says demand for services has increased by a third.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

There is a “distinct possibility” that vulnerable people will need to start shielding again if Sheffield struggles to contain the spread of coronavirus, the city’s health chief has said.

Image source, PA Media

Director of public health Greg Fell has also warned of “communication fatigue” as people become tired and confused by changing advice and restrictions from government.

In a report, Mr Fell says increasing cases and new rules mean it’s very difficult to plan and budget in detail or with any certainty.

He said: “The pandemic is unprecedented and unpredictable. The city’s response must be agile and flexible in order to deal with changes in infection and in government policy.

“The reintroduction of shielding is a distinct possibility. We are also aware of the need to stop hoaxes, as well as avoid communication fatigue.”

Currently, the majority of infections are in working age people – the average age is around 40, compared to 60 in March and April.

This is mainly because working age people are more likely to be exposed to the virus and because older people are still being more cautious.

There’s no increase in hospital admissions because younger people are less likely to be seriously ill.

You can find out more about coronavirus in your area here.

Scarborough could be added to Public Health England's coronavirus watchlist as an "area of concern" today following a rise in the number of coronavirus cases in the town, says the council leader.

Image source, Google

It comes as the government considers new England-wide measures which could see hospitality businesses shut to slow a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases.

Areas on the "enhanced support" watchlist are given additional resources by the government, such as greater levels of testing.

Leader of Scarborough Borough Council, Steve Siddons said: "We believe the town could possibly be put on the watchlist today as cases are going up.

"The vast majority of people are taking care but a small group of people and businesses are not following the guidelines.

"Unless we do follow the guidelines we will not stop this, businesses will end up closing down."

The weekly rate of new infections per 100,000 people jumped from 2.76 in the seven days ending on 24 August to 34 in the week to 14 September.

Find out more about the rate near you here.

Two people have been taken to hospital in the early hours of this morning after they became trapped in a car which hit a building.

Image source, West Yorkshire Fire Service

Emergency services were called to a crash invoving one car on Bradford Road, in Cleckheaton, just before 03:00.

Fire crews from Cleckheaton and Odsal Fire Stations attended the scene.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service says the car collided with a building leaving two people trapped inside.

Firefighters released the individuals who were then taken to hospital by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

The expansion on greenbelt land has been granted due to the economic benefit to the area.

Hull City's crowd pilot on Saturday has been cancelled amid a rising number of Covid-19 cases in the city.

Image source, PA Media

The League One game against Crewe was one of eight in the English Football League allowing supporters to attend.

But with infection rates in Hull more than tripling in the past week, the local council has cancelled the government-led pilot.

Up to 1,000 fans will still be allowed at the seven other games and they will be the first EFL crowds in six months.

All games in the Championship, League One and League Two have been behind closed doors since March, although 872 fans attended an EFL Trophy match at Cambridge United earlier this month.

An appeal for sightings of a man missing from Bradford has been launched by police.

Image source, West Yorkshire Police

Darren Harper, 42, was last seen at his home in the Idle area.

He's described as stocky, about 5ft 8ins tall with shaved grey hair.

He is believed to be wearing a blue T-shirt, black jeans and black trainers.

Any who sees him is asked to contact police.

BBC Weather

A largely dry and settled day with patchy cloud and sunny spells for most areas.

Tonight will be slightly milder than last night with patchy cloud for most places:

Officials in Leeds have backed proposals asking the government for the city to be considered as a pilot area for Universal Basic Income (UBI).

Image source, PA Media

As part of the government-funded scheme everyone would recieve a set income, regardless of means or work status.

Liberal Democrats, Labour and Green councillors backed the plans which they said would bring financial security.

However, Conservative councillors said the idea would harm those on the lowest incomes.

Other councils, including Sheffield and Hull, are also vying to become the first in the country to trial UBI.

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