Luton leaders can't rule out coronavirus lockdown as cases increase in town

Luton public health officials leaders can't rule out a Leicester-style coronavirus lockdown as the number of cases increases in the town.

The Director of Public Health at Luton Borough Council, Gerry Taylor, told ITV News Anglia:

"At the moment if we can all work together and follow the guidance that we're putting in today, we would hope that would manage the situation and that would improve the situation. We can't say that lockdown would never happen because we need to look at the position that we're currently in"

The warning to stay at home at much as possible comes as the town is designated as an "intervention area" by the government, meaning infection levels are being monitored closely and any further rises could result in a Leicester-style local lockdown.

Local leaders also said that gyms, pools and leisure centres would remain closed while the town deals with the spike.

Other measures include:

  • further increasing testing capacity across the town (details will be available shortly)

  • Keeping play areas closed

  • increased enforcement against businesses that are not compliant with guidelines or that fail to show they are Covid-19 safe

  • new guidance from the council’s Director of Public Health that people should not make social visits to other people’s homes

More testing will be introduced in Luton Credit: PA Images

While it doesn't appear the government will introduce a lockdown as of Friday 24th of July, it's prompted local MPs to call for more reassurance about the future of the town.

Luton North MP Sarah Owen said: "I really hope we can avoid a local lockdown in Luton. As our rate of infection increases locally, people are worried and need reassurance from government. When we look to Leicester’s local lockdown, the right support from central government has not been in place for local people.”

The infection rate in Luton is among the 10 highest in England at 709.5 per 100,000.

Earlier this week council leaders urged people living in the LU4 postcode to get tested, amid fears that the area was an emerging local hotspot for coronavirus.

Residents living in an LU4 postcode are being urged to get tested by the council Credit: ITV News Anglia

The council issued this further guidance to try and bring the virus under control in Luton.

  • stay at home as much as possible

  • if meeting up with others, do so outside

  • don’t meet in large groups – people should not gather outside in groups greater than six individuals (unless they are from the same household)

  • keep a 2 metre distance from people outside of your household at all times

  • wash your hands regularly

  • wear a face covering in all enclosed public spaces where it is difficult to keep 2 metres apart

  • book at test and self-isolate if you have any symptoms, however mild

They said "the effectiveness of these measures will be continuously monitored and further steps may have to be taken if necessary."

  • Watch Dani Crawshaw's report below:

Coronavirus: Everything you need to know