How restrictions could be changed if local lockdowns are enforced in the North East

A surge of coronavirus cases in Leicester means the city will not emerge from parts of lockdown as swiftly as the rest of England.

Leicester recorded 658 positive cases in the first two weeks of June with 2,494 tests carried out.

Across the North East, 226 people tested positive for Covid-19 over the same period which included six confirmed in Sunderland, seven in South Tyneside, 22 in Hartlepool and 44 in Northumberland.

Non-essential shops have reopened across England and pubs, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, hairdressers and more are preparing to reopen from Saturday, July 4.

The two-metre social distancing guideline will also be reduced to ‘one-metre plus’.

But local spikes in cases could lead to certain measures being reversed, with reviews taking place every fortnight.

Here are the local lockdown rules that will be put in place in Leicester from Tuesday, June 30:

What is closing down and why?

All non-essential shops will have to shut, while schools will close their doors to most pupils from Thursday, July 2.

Schools will stay open for vulnerable youngsters and children of critical workers, as they did before, and people will be able to travel for childcare.

All but essential travel to, from and within Leicester is being discouraged, while residents are being told to stay at home unless absolutely necessary.

Extra facilities have been set up for walk-in tests and more home testing kits are being made available as anyone with symptoms must come forward for a test, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.

In addition, Leicester will not benefit from England’s easing of restrictions this weekend with pubs and other areas of the hospitality sector remaining closed in the city.

What support is available?

Mr Hancock said extra money was being sent to Leicester and Leicestershire councils ‘to support them to enhance their communications’ as well as making support available for people who need to self-isolate.

Through the councils, authorities will also help workplaces with coronavirus clusters to ‘implement more stringently the Covid-secure guidelines’.

Mr Hancock added: "We are providing funding for local support.

"I just want to reiterate to those who are in Leicester right now... that the furlough scheme is in existence and it works now in the same way that it's worked across the country."

How likely are local lockdowns in the North East?

Leicester reported almost three times as many cases in the first two weeks of June than all of the towns and cities in the North East combined over the same period.

The North East’s reproduction (R) rate was previously believed to be among the lowest in England at 0.89.

The further easing of lockdown measures could cause that figure to fluctuate. Each area of the country will continue to be closely monitored.

Despite the comparatively low new case numbers, the virus remains a very prevalent and real threat across the region. Gateshead has the highest infection rate per 100,000 people in England while Sunderland and South Tyneside sit second and third respectively.

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