Leicester becomes first area in UK to be put under local lockdown

A regional increase in coronavirus cases has led to stricter lockdown restrictions being announced in Leicester.

The city is the first in the country to face localised lockdown measures following reports of 944 positive tests in the two weeks to 23^rd June, a total of one in 16 total UK cases during that period.

As a result of the surge, non-essential shops that reopened on 15^th June will close again today (30^th June) and bars, restaurants and hairdressers will not open on 4^th July as is the case in other UK cities.

The health secretary, Matt Hancock, told the House of Commons on Monday evening that the city had “10% of all positive cases in the country over the past week.”

The tightening of restrictions within the city will be reviewed again in two weeks, with Hancock recommending “against all but essential travel to, from and within Leicester.”

Elsewhere in the UK, hospitality businesses are getting ready to open on Saturday 4^th July in what the government calls a “covid-secure way.” A new 1-metre plus concept has been introduced which enables people to be 1 metre away from someone outside of their household instead of 2 metres, so long as there are suitable screens, face coverings, or hand-washing facilities in place.

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