Leicester schools to close due to increasing virus cases

Schools will have to close in Leicester from Thursday as part of the country’s first localised lockdown due to increasing coronavirus cases in the city.

Health secretary Matt Hancock announced in the House of Commons on Monday 29 June that along with the closure of non-essential retail, schools will have to close on Thursday to all but vulnerable children and children of key workers.

He said: “Given the growing outbreak in Leicester, we cannot recommend that the easing of the national lockdown set to take place on July 4 happens in Leicester.

“Having taken clinical advice on the actions necessary and discussed them with the local team in Leicester and Leicestershire we’ve made some difficult but important decisions.

“We’ve decided that from tomorrow, non-essential retail will have to close and as children have been particularly impacted by this outbreak, schools will also need to close from Thursday, staying open for vulnerable children and children of critical workers as they did throughout.”

“We recommend to people in Leicester stay at home as much as you can, and we recommend against all but essential travel to, from and within Leicester.”

Relaxation of shielding measures on July 6 will also not go ahead either in Leicester.

The government will review whether any of the measures can be relaxed in two weeks time. The measures will also apply to surrounding conurbation including Oadby, Birstall and Glenfield.