By Tony O’Riley-
A document from Leeds City Council officers claims it is highly likely the British government will extend its current lockdown period in its review next week.
The author of the document does not state the basis of the assumption, but is expected to be in the know, being a part of the branch of government. Leeds authority announced over £160,000 to be made to help support voluntary organisations during the coronavirus pandemic. An anonymous source from the council told The Eye Of Media.Com:
”put it this way, it is highly unlikely that the lockdown will be eased any time soon. The rate of infections and deaths has not slowed down and the general feeling is that there is still a long way to go. Everything is all being done on professional advice, but it will all be eased at the tight time”.
The report outlines measures to make £5,000 per ward available over the coming weeks if the expected event that the government-enforced lockdown continues. The document added that, while current social isolation measures will be reviewed on Monday, April 13, the expectations are for the measures would to be extended.
It stated: “National guidance issued on Monday 23rd March 2020 suggests the current social isolation measures will be reviewed in 3 weeks. It is unknown at this stage whether they will be extended but it is anticipated this will most likely be the case.”
It recommends the distribution of £165,000 over Leeds’s 33 wards to support ‘tier 2’ volunteer response to the covid-19 outbreak – the money would be distributed by each neighbourhood network, should social distancing measures be in place for the coming weeks. The document, which was approved this month states: “Financial support is required for the organisations acting as referral hubs to assist local residents in 33 electoral wards in Leeds.
“A planned two tier response is currently underway to assist statutory and non-statutory services to meet the needs of those most at risk during this particular time, with this report focusing on the tier two response.
“The additional funding requested is recognised as essential to ensure a volunteer response can be co-ordinated at a community level, led by existing third sector and community-based organisations in Leeds.”