Government announces first local lockdown on Leicester

by BFFF

Jul 2nd, 2020

5 mins

On Monday 29^th June it was announced as of Tuesday 30^th June, Leicester would be the first city to face a localised lockdown within the UK. Matt Hancock announced the city would face tighter restrictions over the next fortnight due to a spike in coronavirus cases. Further guidance specifically on social distancing and meeting people was released from Government on Saturday 4^th July.

Lockdown restrictions include:

Non-essential shops have closed again.
Schools to close on Thursday 2^nd July and will not reopen until next term. Schools will remain open for vulnerable children and children of key workers.
There is a block on non-essential travel – Stay at home as much as you can!
The planned easing of some restrictions in England on 4^th July will not apply to Leicester. Restaurants, cafes, pubs, cinemas and hairdressers will remain closed and easing to one metre plus will not apply.
The relaxation of shielding measures on 6^th July for the most clinical-vulnerable to spend more time outside will not go ahead in Leicester.
A single-adult household can still form a support bubble with one other single adult household. They can spend time together inside each other’s homes, including overnight, without needing to stay 2 metres apart. (Note: Allowed for single-adult households only or if other limited circumstances in law allow it).
People can still meet others from outside of their household, provided it is no more than 6 people and strict social distancing is followed (or if other limited circumstances in law allow it).

The map below highlighting the area affected was realised on Tuesday 30^th June, alongside a postcode tool allowing people to check whether they lived inside the affected area. Postcode check, click here (https://public.tableau.com/views/Covid-19LocalLockdown-PostcodeChecker/Postcodes?:language=en-GB&:display_count=y&:origin=viz_share_link&:showVizHome=no#_)

The Government have agreed further measures to tackle the outbreak in Leicester.

Further testing capability, including opening a walk-in centre. Anyone in Leicester with symptoms must come forward for a test.
Extra funding to Leicester and Leicestershire councils to support them to enhance their communications and ensure those communications are translated into all locally relevant languages.
Ensure support is available for those who have to self-isolate.
Work with the workplaces that have seen clusters of cases to implement more stringently the COVID-secure workplaces.

For more information, look at the below links from Gov.co.uk:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-lockdown-guidance-for-social-distancing/meeting-people-from-outside-your-household-guidance-for-leicester

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/local-action-to-tackle-coronavirus

https://www.gov.uk/government/leicestershire-coronavirus-lockdown-areas-and-changes

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