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Leicester lockdown: What are the new local coronavirus rules?

Niamh Cavanagh

Published: 21:56, 30 Jun 2020
Updated: 21:58, 30 Jun 2020

AFTER a rise in new coronavirus cases, Leicester has been forced to stay in lockdown for two more weeks.

It becomes the first local lockdown as the flare up means those in the city face seeing some shops close and children being unable to attend school.

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A deserted city centre in Leicester after the local lockdown announcementCredit: EPA

What are the lockdown rules in Leicester?

An astonishing 10 per cent of the country's new coronavirus cases over the past week have been in Leicester.

With this news, a local lockdown was put in place for the city of Leicester and the surrounding areas.

From June 30 all non-essential stores will close, which the health secretary said will be enforced by law this week.

Schools will close from Thursday, July 2, and will not reopen until next term. However, children of critical workers and vulnerable children will still attend school.

People must avoid all non-essential travel to, from and within Leicester and should “stay at home as much as you can”.

The easing of restrictions planned for England on July 4 will not go ahead in Leicester.

The relaxation of shielding measures on July 6, which would allow the most clinical-vulnerable to spend more time outside, will not go ahead in the city.

A city council worker carries rubbish from a coronavirus testing centre at Spinney ParkCredit: Getty Images - Getty

How long will the local lockdown last?

It looks like it will last at least two weeks.

The local measures have no fixed end date and will be reviewed for the first time in two weeks' time - around July 18.

Are schools closing?

Schools are closing to all pupils except vulnerable children and those whose parents are critical workers.

In an interview with BBC Breakfast, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said there was an "unusually high" number of positive results among children in the city.

He said children were "very low risk" of becoming seriously ill from coronavirus but that schools would close in Leicester to help reduce transmission of the virus.

Schools in the city will remain open until Thursday, July 2, in order to allow parents to arrange childcare and to give people notice to prevent them "gathering outside the school gates trying to work out what's happened".

Will pubs and restaurants reopen on July 4?

No, all non-essential retailers will be closed for the next two weeks of lockdown.

The openings of pubs, restaurants, cafes and cinemas will all be delayed until further notice.

What areas are affected by lockdown?

The city of Leicester has been placed under local lockdown but the surrounding areas such as Oadby, Birstall and Glenfield are also included.

Leicester City Council released a on June 30.

Nick Rushton, leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: “Protecting residents is our main concern and we’re working closely with Leicester City Council and the Government to bring down the number of cases.

“Clearly coronavirus does not adhere to lines on a map. And although county rates are below the national and regional averages, we can’t be complacent and it makes sense to step up restrictions in areas closer to the city."