Local lockdown extended in parts of Leicester

The new lockdown area Credit: Leicestershire County Council

Parts of Leicester are to stay in lockdown, as the wider areas of Leicestershire will have their restrictions lifted on July 24th.

The Health Secretary Matt Hancock has told Parliament the infection rate hasn’t fallen enough in some places.

It means the following areas will stay in lockdown:

  • Leicester City Centre

  • Oadby and Wigston

He also announced some restrictions would be eased - though many stay in place:

  • From July 24th restrictions on schools and early years child care will be removed

  • The ban on non-essential shops will be replaced - the city council will be given the power to close shops where necessary

  • Social gatherings will still be limited to 6 people

  • Limits on travel stay in force

  • The hospitality sector will remain closed

The announcement follows a review of the local lockdown measures earlier today.

The Health Secretary chaired a Gold meeting of the local action committee and spoke with local political leaders to help form this evening's judgement.

The new lockdown boundary comes into force on July 24th Credit: Leicestershire County council

The local lockdown has been in place for more than two weeks - having been announced on the evening of Monday 29th June.

It was after 866 people tested positive for the virus in the two weeks leading up to July.

The spike accounted for 10% of the country's entire coronavirus cases.

At the time, the Health Secretary said the local lockdown was to try and crack down on rising numbers in the city.

Sir Peter Soulsby Credit: PA Images

But, as Leicester approached a third week in local lockdown, the City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby called the lockdown into question.

Yesterday, he claimed he'd seen data that only 10% of the city was showing higher transmission rates, branding the local lockdown as "unnecessary and unjustified".

He said it showed:

Last night, the Health Secretary told ITV News' Political Editor Robert Peston that the infection rate had "come down in Leicester" but warned, "it's still a lot higher than elsewhere."

The relaxation of the strict measures for parts of Leicestershire has come as welcome news for many locals.

Residents in some areas who didn't think the number of people testing positive for coronavirus merited their lockdown status have spent the week heavily lobbying their councillors.

Residents have been expressing concerns in:

  • Thurmaston

  • Birstall

  • Glenfield

  • Before this evening's announcement, ITV Central spoke to people in Glenfield

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