Coronavirus news: First UK local lockdown imposed in Leicester as WHO chief warns pandemic ‘not even close to being over’

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Britain’s first local lockdown has been imposed in Leicester by the government after a surge in coronavirus cases in the city.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said schools and non-essential retail shops will have to close again, while existing anti-coronavirus measures would be extended for at least two weeks longer than the rest of the country.

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson, the British prime minister, has called the pandemic a “disaster” for the UK and made it clear he wants to boost infrastructure spending to help the economy.

Globally, the death toll for Covid-19 has topped half a million, while more than 10 million people have tested positive for the virus.

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Key Points

• UK's first local lockdown imposed in Leicester
• Schools and non-essential shops to close in city
• PM says coronavirus outbreak a 'disaster' for UK
• Pandemic 'not even close to being over', warns WHO
• Greece confirms ban on UK tourists until 15 July

[29 June 2020 20:54 · Peter Stubley]

Hancock due to give statement at 9pm

Health secretary Matt Hancock is expected to make a statement on the government's decision to impose a 'local lockdown' in Leicester due to a surge in coronavirus cases.

In practice it may simply mean that current restrictions would continue as they are now in the city for another two weeks, while the rest of England sees the reopening of pubs, restaurants, churches and other venues such as beauty salons and swimming pools from 4 July.

[29 June 2020 21:01 · Peter Stubley]

Matt Hancock says coronavirus is now in decline at a national level, allowing the easing of restrictions.

He says local action has previously been taken in response to clusters of cases at a meat processing plant and GP surgeries.

[29 June 2020 21:03 · Peter Stubley]

"Unfortunately while cases in most parts of the country have fallen since the peak, in Leicester they have continued to rise."

[29 June 2020 21:03 · Peter Stubley]

Leicester accounts for around 10 per cent of all positive cases in the country in the past week, he adds.

[29 June 2020 21:03 · Peter Stubley]

Four mobile testing units have already been deployed in the city, along with home testing kits.

[29 June 2020 21:05 · Peter Stubley]

"We cannot recommend that the easing of the national lockdown set for 4 July should happen in Leicester," says Matt Hancock.

Non-essential retail shops will have to close on Tuesday, and schools will have to close from Thursday he adds.

[29 June 2020 21:05 · Peter Stubley]

The relaxation of shielding measures set for 6 July has also been postponed in Leicester.

[29 June 2020 21:06 · Peter Stubley]

"We will keep all these measures under review" - with first review in two weeks.

The measures will also apply to the "surrounding conurbation" around Leicester, says Mr Hancock.

[29 June 2020 21:08 · Peter Stubley]

"We must control this virus, we must keep people safe."

[29 June 2020 21:15 · Peter Stubley]

Mr Hancock says he will be using powers under a statutory instrument being brought forward "very shortly".