Reference: D52184
Decision Maker: Director of Public Health
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
The Director of Public Health Noted -
The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3)
Regulations 2020 came into force on 18th July 2020 (referred to as
the Regulations).
The Regulations give the power to ‘the local authority’
to issue a Direction Notification, the designated officers
are:-
The Director of Public Health (and sub-delegated to the Deputy
Director of Public Health, Leeds City Council in any
absence).
Whose delegated powers include those to prevent the spread of a
highly infectious disease being COVID-19 in order to protect the
Leeds population by using powers under:
Officer Delegation Scheme (Executive Functions), 2) Health
Protection Functions, c) providing the lead in public health
incidents, and d) Communicable and infectious disease control;
and
Director’s Sub-Delegation Scheme, Specific Delegations 2d;
and 9c of the Miscellaneous Functions from the Director of Adults
and Health sub-delegation scheme – responding to emergencies
that present a risk to public health.
What decision has been taken?
Authorisation is given to issue a Direction that the event of a fun
fair on land at Compton Road, Harehills in Leeds, be prohibited in
order to protect the Leeds population and the populations of
surrounding Local Authorities from the significant Public health
risk of COVID-19 and the spread of this highly infectious
disease.
A brief statement of the reasons for the decision -
The Authority considers that the following conditions required
under the Regulations are met -
1: This direction responds to a serious and imminent threat to
public health;
The Leeds 7 day infection rate has shown an upwards trend over the
last week with case numbers tripling during this time period and
infection rates increasing. These new cases are clustered in areas
that are in close proximity to the proposed funfair.
Furthermore this is an area of Leeds which due to being an area of
higher deprivation, higher BAME population; has a population with
higher rates of smoking and obesity, and other underlying health
conditions all of which are linked to poorer outcomes from
COVID-19.
An event of this nature is likely to lead to more people
congregating within a small area, including on the way to and from
the event. This will increase the likelihood of people from
different households coming into closer proximity with each other,
increasing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and worsening the
local situation.
2: This direction is necessary for the purpose of preventing,
protecting against, controlling or providing a public health
response to the incidence or spread of infection by coronavirus in
the Authority’s area;
The data demonstrates clear evidence of ongoing and heightened
transmission of COVID-19 in the immediate locality. Allowing an
event such as this to take place that would lead to numbers of
people congregating together represents a threat to ongoing
measures to contain the virus and limit its transmission.
Recent trends are showing a rise in cases in younger people and
young adults, in particular women, who may be the audience for the
fair, or bringing their children. The latest evidence suggests that
between 10-35% of people have no, or few symptoms and could
therefore transmit the infection unknowingly.
3: The prohibitions, requirements or restrictions imposed by this
direction are a proportionate means of achieving that
purpose;
Whilst thorough and in compliance with current guidance, the risk
assessment provided by the event holder is unable to address the
concerns relating to the congregation and travel of groups to this
event. Holding the fun fair poses an additional, unnecessary risk
to the local spread of infection in a context of rising infection
rates and the prevention of the event is the only and proportionate
response to the current situation.
The rates in Leeds and in this area have only risen significantly
over the last week and therefore this decision could not have been
made earlier.
Wards Affected: Gipton and Harehills;
Contact: Lynne Hellewell, Public Health Business Manager 0113 3786042 Email: lynne.hellewell@leeds.gov.uk.
Publication date: 06/08/2020
Accompanying Documents: