Coronavirus news: First UK local lockdown imposed in Leicester as WHO chief warns pandemic ‘not even close to being over’
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Britain’s first local lockdown has been imposed in Leicester by the government after a surge in coronavirus cases in the city.
Health secretary Matt Hancock said schools and non-essential retail shops will have to close again, while existing anti-coronavirus measures would be extended for at least two weeks longer than the rest of the country.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson, the British prime minister, has called the pandemic a “disaster” for the UK and made it clear he wants to boost infrastructure spending to help the economy.
Globally, the death toll for Covid-19 has topped half a million, while more than 10 million people have tested positive for the virus.
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"It's not just increased testing, it's a higher prevalence in Leicester," says Mr Hancock.
He says that the number of cases reported in Leicester is three times more than the next highest city for cases.
City businesses face extended lockdown
Businesses in Leicester have criticised the government's decision to impose a local lockdown - saying the measures "won't make a difference".
Robin Dignall, the owner of Hair1RD hairdressers in the city centre, told the PA news agency from a business point of view, he "needs to get the customers back in".
His colleague Maria Demetriou-Clamp said: "I don't think the extended lockdown period is going to make any difference because if we delay it by two weeks, the message is in the title then - we're obviously just delaying it.
"What we need is concise and precise direction for people to have to wear a mask when you're that close to somebody.
"I think we're in more danger by delaying two weeks and still keeping the fact that we don't have clients wearing masks.
"We can open this Saturday if they tell everybody they have to wear a mask - there would be more safety in that than just waiting two weeks and just doing the same thing all over again."
Rakesh Parmar, who owns Ye Olde Sweet Shoppe in the city centre, said the further restrictions will affect him "financially very, very badly".
He said: "The impact of coronavirus hit us on March 23, we closed for 10 weeks, and then opened again on June 15 - it's been one long slog. At the end of the day, it's got to be done for everyone's safety. It's got to be done."
Leicester citizens told to stay home and avoid travel
"We recommend to people in Leicester, stay at home as much as you can, and we recommend against all but essential travel to, from and within Leicester," Mr Hancock said.
"We'll monitor closely adhering to social distancing rules and we'll take further steps if that is what's necessary."
Mr Hancock says they have decided to close schools in Leicester because of the risk of the disease being spread by children.
He says that the risk of illness or death for children infected with coronavirus is very low.
Self-isolation accommodation to be provided in Leicester
Accommodation will be provided for people in Leicester who have nowhere to self-isolate, health secretary Matt Hancock has said.
Mr Hancock is asked whether the furlough scheme would be extended in places with local lockdowns like Leicester.
He appears to suggest it would be but says that the current scheme still applies at the moment in any case.
"We are providing funding for local support but I just want to reiterate to those in Leicester that the furlough is in existence and it works now in the same way that is has worked across the country," he says.
The furlough scheme has already been extended to October, albeit employers must pay national insurance and a proportion of pay from August.
Mr Hancock says the exact details of which areas are covered by the local lockdown will be published shortly.
And that's it for the statement from the health secretary.
To recap:
- There will be no 4 July relaxation of restrictions in Leicester and its surrounding conurbations.
- Non-essential retail shops will close again in the city from tomorrow.
Schools will close in Leicester on Thursday.
These measures will last at least two weeks, and people in Leicester have been advised to stay at home and avoid travel.
It follows a rise in a number of cases in Leicester which "has led to community spread".
'Government was too slow - lessons must be learnt'
Liz Kendall, Labour MP for Leicester West, tweeted: "Getting on top of the COVID-19 spike in Leicester and protecting public health must be our first priority.
"I'm extremely concerned about children missing school & local businesses & jobs. But if we don't bring infection rates down it will be worse for us all in the long run.
"We can and we will beat this virus by working together. I urge the government to ensure Leicester gets all the resources we need including more testing kits & facilities, promoting health messages in all languages & more inspections/support in workplaces, if that is required.
"Lessons must also be learnt from the handling of Leicester spike. Govt was too slow getting Council even basic postcode data which is essential to tackling the problem.
"And over last few days there have been off the record briefings leaving people anxious & confused.
"These issues must be addressed. Because this won't be the last local outbreak and we need a faster and clearer strategy to grip problems and ensure we keep everyone healthy and safe."
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