Could Wales see a local lockdown like Leicester?

Collage illustrating local coronavirus outbreaks in Welsh meat factories and localised lockdown in Leicester.
Health minister Vaughan Gething holds the daily coronavirus briefing. Credit: Welsh Government

The city of Leicester has been put under a localised lockdown to keep coronavirus outbreaks in the city under control.

All of its non-essential shops have been closed after a spike in Covid-19 cases was recorded - with 10% of all UK infections in the past week in Leicester.

It comes as 600 cases of the virus have been associated with three food factories in Merthyr Tydfil, Wrexham and Llangefni on Anglesey.

Anglesey Council recently took the decision not to reopen its schools following the outbreak on the island.

So, could these areas of the country be likely to see a similar local lockdown?


The health minister has said the coronavirus outbreaks in Leicester are "different" to those in parts of Wales.

Vaughan Gething MS said Wales is "in a different position to Leicester", saying the English city does not have "an incident with links to one workplace or a distinct group of people."

Why have there been so many coronavirus outbreaks in meat processing plants?

More than 300 coronavirus cases have been linked to food factories in Wales. Credit: PA Images

237 confirmed cases of the virus have been associated with Rowan Foods in Wrexham, with more than 1,100 people being tested.

130 people associated with Kepak, Merthyr Tydfil, have also tested positive since April. 101 cases were confirmed from 810 people tested on Saturday.

216 people have tested positive at the 2 Sisters plant in Llangefni and the plant remains closed.

Gething said: "The number of confirmed cases in each of these areas will concern people, but a huge amount of testing has gone on as part of the work to rapidly investigate and contain these outbreaks.

"We're closely monitoring for any signs of wider spread into the community.

"The increase in numbers itself is not an indication that there is transmission beyond the people employed within these plants.

"This does show that our test, trace, protect service is working properly. We're testing people and quickly identifying, and then following up, all those people who have been in contact with those who have tested positive for coronavirus, and they're being advised to self-isolate to contain the spread of the outbreak."

On Monday Welsh families will be able join with another household, forming one extended household. Credit: PA Images

On Monday Welsh families were told they will soon be able to reunite under new rules allowing two households to join together, forming one extended household.

This news allows families and close friends who have been separated by the coronavirus pandemic for months to reconnect with each other indoors.

The First Minister said the new arrangement will come into force on 6 July when the stay local rules are also lifted.

Watch the press conference here: