Bleak and quiet in York today

A combination of wet weather and COVID restrictions has meant that York has been quiet once again today.

This may be the last weekend opportunity for a while for traders to attract customers. The prospect of another national lockdown becomes more likely.

Lets hope for a more considered approach by the authorities as they seek to address the effects of the second wave. We don’t need any more poorly considered road and car park closures.

Swinegate deserted at noon today
The river Ouse water level is high but not yet threatening properties

Coronavirus York updates; 31st October 2020

Deaths and test results

ONE further death at the York Hospital Trust was announced today. It occurred on Thursday.

53 (FIFTY THREE) additional positive test results announced today bringing the cumulative total to 3705

Infection rate has fallen to 222.2 (per 100k population). This is below the regional average

There is a continuing downward trend in case numbers. Only 3 neighbourhoods in York are now above the national average – Fulford (case numbers falling), Rawcliffe/Clifton South (rising) and Wigginton (stable).

Recent trends in York overall plus selected neighbourhoods

New lockdown measures in palce from Thursday

These are the new restrictions for England:

  • Only leave your home for specific reasons – education, work if you cannot work from home, exercise, medical reasons, to escape injury or harm, shop for food and essentials, and provide care for vulnerable people, or as a volunteer
  • No mixing of households inside homes, except for childcare and other support
  • No mixing of households outside, except for exercising or visiting a public place with one other person
  • People who shielded in March do not have to shield again, but clinically vulnerable and over-60s are advised to limit social contacts and follow rules carefully
  • All pubs, bars and restaurants to close – takeaways and deliveries allowed, but no takeaway alcohol
  • All non-essential retail to close but supermarkets can still sell non-essential goods – click and collect can continue
  • Leisure and entertainment venues to close, including gyms
  • International travel out of the UK banned, except for work
  • Travel within the UK discouraged, except for work
  • Work places should stay open where people cannot work from home
  • Support bubbles remain
  • Children allowed to move between homes if parents separated
  • Outdoor exercise and recreation encouraged and is unlimited – only with your household/bubble, on your own or with one other person from a different household (golf is not allowed)
  • People can sit on park benches and have picnics as long as it is with their household
  • Services in places of worship banned but private prayer permitted
  • Funerals allowed with close family members only
  • Manufacturing and construction to continue
  • Childcare settings, schools, colleges and universities to remain open
  • Playgrounds to remain open
  • Medical appointments to continue as normal
  • Vets to remain open
  • Courts to remain open
  • Job centres to remain open
  • Professional sports allowed but amateur sports are not
  • Premier League matches will go ahead
  • Hotels and hostels to remain open for people travelling for work and limited other reasons