17 May: What’s changed:
You should continue to work from home if you can. When travelling within the UK, you should aim to do so safely and plan your journey in advance.
You should get a test and follow the stay at home guidance if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
- Gathering limits have been eased. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 30 people and indoor gatherings are limited to 6 people or 2 households (each household can include a support bubble, if eligible).
- New guidance on meeting friends and family emphasises personal responsibility rather than government rules. Instead of instructing you to stay 2m apart from anyone you don’t live with, you are encouraged to exercise caution and consider the guidance on risks associated with COVID-19 and actions you can take to help keep you and your loved ones safe. Remember that the risks of close contact may be greater for some people than others and in some settings and circumstances, there will be specific guidance that you will need to follow even when you are with friends and family.
- Indoor entertainment and attractions such as cinemas, theatres, concert halls, bowling alleys, casinos, amusement arcades, museums and children’s indoor play areas are permitted to open with COVID-secure measures in place.
- People can attend indoor and outdoor events, including live performances, sporting events and business events. Attendance at these events is capped according to venue type, and attendees should follow the COVID-secure measures set out by those venues.
- Indoor hospitality venues such as restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes can reopen.
- Organised indoor sport can take place for all. This includes gym classes. It must be organised by a business, charity or public body and the organiser must take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission.
- All holiday accommodation can open, including hotels and B&Bs. This can be used by groups of up to 6 or 2 households (each household can include a support bubble, if eligible).
- Funeral attendance is no longer be limited to 30 people, but will be determined by how many people the COVID-secure venue can safely accommodate with social distancing. Limits at weddings, wakes and other commemorative events have been increased to 30 people. Other significant life events, such as bar/bat mitzvahs and christenings, will also be able to take place with 30 people.
- The rules for care home residents visiting out and receiving visitors have changed, allowing up to five named visitors (two at any one time), provided visitors test negative for COVID-19.
- All higher education students are able to access in-person teaching.
- Support groups and parent and child group gathering limits have been increased to 30 people (not including under 5s)
- There is no longer a legal restriction or permitted reason required to travel internationally. A traffic light system for international travel has been introduced, and you must follow the rules when returning to England depending on whether you return from a red, amber or green list country.
In regard to reopening churches for services, the very latest guidance from the Baptist Union can be found HERE
Health and Wellbeing
- Guidance on protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable to covid
- Accessing support if you are clinically extremely vulnerable to covid
- Rehabilitation Support (for those with long term Covid symptoms)
- Warm Home discount scheme
- Testing and tracing for Coronavirus
- Routes to local Coronavirus testing
- Walk in Coronavirus test sites
- Self management support in Leeds for older people and people living with LTC
- Royal college of physicians advice: childhood illnesses advice
- Advice during pregnancy – a short video in 9 different languages
- Active Leeds – Online workouts to do at home and live activity sessions via Active Leeds app
- Chartered Society of Physiotherapists – Exercises for older people to keep active
- Free dance class videos for the over 55’s from Yorkshire Dance
- Keeping Well at Home – Printable Booklet which includes strength and balance exercises and Leeds contact number.
Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing
- Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service launches Mon 2nd November
- Mindwell’s Guide to Taking Care of your Mental Health during Coronavirus
- Finding Support in a Mental Health Crisis
- Help and resources for when talking to someone expressing thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Battle Scars – self harm support
- Listening /debrief service to support covid volunteers
- Telephone helplines and psychological therapies for mental health support
- New Mental Health Helpline available 24/7 for anyone registered with a Leeds GP: 0800 183 0558
- ‘Let’s talk loneliness’- Support and advice about feeling lonely during lockdown or at any time
- Managing feelings about lockdown easing
Bereavement Support
- All the latest news from Leeds Bereavement Forum
- Coronavirus Bereavement support: grief and bereavement information and support
- New grief and loss support service launched across West Yorkshire and Harrogate
- For people facing the end of life, join a professional songwriter to compose and record your memories in song
- Planning and paying for the cost of a funeral
Ways to volunteer
- Voluntary Action Leeds are co-ordinating volunteers in partnership with Leeds City Council to help local people
- NHS Volunteer Responders has been set up by NHS England and Royal Voluntary Service
Face coverings
- Latest information on face coverings
- How to make and wear a cloth face covering
- Leeds patients must wear face coverings when accessing health services
- Face covering exemptions – travel assistance cards
Support for people experiencing domestic abuse
- If home isn’t a safe place for you, support IS available
- Silent Solutions. Make yourself heard. Poster to show what help is available
- Silent Solutions. In danger but cannot speak – step by step guide
Support for Older People
- Age UK Leeds services available over the phone/online
- Learn how to provide good support for people living with dementia
- FAQs on Coronavirus – by Independent Age (Advice and Support for Older Age)
Practical help and advice
- 3 new ways for those who are isolated/shielding to access cash via the Post Office
- Leeds Directory – connecting you to checked and vetted local tradespeople
- HomePlus Leeds – grabrails and equipment to prevent falls, help to keep homes warm
- Green Doctor Home Plus
- Green Doctor telephone energy advice service
- Finance Support for those experiencing difficulties
- Pension credit – you may be eligible to claim
Support for Carers
- Carers Leeds October Newsletter. Events, messages and key information
- Time for carers grant scheme –apply for up to £250 to enable you to take a break
Information on food
Information on activities and online resources during lockdown
Scams to watch out for
Although we have reduced the number of scam alerts please make sure you read the latest ones. These are all different notices and while they may look the same they are added to regularly so please keep checking.
- February 28th. Latest Scam warning
- Christmas updates and warnings
- Fake covid marshals exploit pandemic to enter people’s home
- Advice on scams from Trading Standards
- Scam alert
- Scan alert
- Scam alert
- Scam alert
- Scam alert
- Scam alert
Please note that the content of third party links is outside our control, and so please notify us if any are broken.
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