Leicester lockdown causing confusion

The government has been accused of causing confusion and anxiety for the people of Leicester.

This follows as the city is the first to undergo a local lockdown for a further two weeks as cases in the East Midlands region rise.

Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, said in the House of Commons on Monday evening that Leicester schools and shops that have recently reopened will be closed.

Non-essential shops will have to shut from Tuesday and schools from Thursday.

Since the introduced of these measures, Leicester's mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, has encouraged people to "stick together" and stay at home.

Hancock said that after the two weeks are finished, the measures will be reviewed.

The opposition and Liberal Democrats have criticised Downing Street on exactly how these restrictions will be imposed as the rest of England will enjoy new lockdown freedoms starting from the 4th of July, including the reopening of pubs and restaurants.

The main point of confusion surrounds essential travel in the city and those people within Leicester that travel to work outside the boundaries. As well as ambiguity surrounding measures taken for increased testing in the city and financial support for the businesses that will be affected.

Even the chairman of the Leicestershire Police Federation, Dave Stokes, has come forward, suggesting that the government should shed more light on what the public can and cannot do during the lockdown.

Moreover, as Hancock has mentioned that such extended restrictions in the city will mean a change to the law, Ed Davey, Acting Lib Dem Leader, questions whether the government has the legal power to enforce such a lockdown.

These measures will also apply to areas surrounding Leicester such as the towns and villages of Oadby, Glenfield and Birstall.

According to the city council, infections in Leicester have increased by around 950 in a fortnight. Hancock said that the city hosted 10% of all the positive cases in the country over the past week.