Mayor fears city lockdown will stay indefinitely
It is important to stick to the rules says city health boss COUNCIL PUSHED FOR RELAXATION OF RULE ON GARDEN MEETINGS, BUT ALL RESTRICTIONS WILL REMAIN FOR TWO MORE WEEKS AT LEAST
SIR Peter Soulsby says he fears Leicester could be in “an indefinite period” of lockdown after the government confirmed it is not relaxing any of the restrictions.
The city mayor said Leicester City Council had unsuccessfully made the case to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) that there should be the lifting of some of the measures in places to stop the spread of coronavirus in the city.
Infection rates in the city have fallen to their lowest level since the local outbreak in June, but remain several times higher than the national average.
However, Sir Peter said the government should have allowed people from different households to meet in gardens at social distances.
Instead, the government has said the ban on people from different addresses mixing at home or in gardens will remain at least until the next review, on September 11.
The DHSC said there had been some improvement in Leicester but cases “remain high”.
Sir Peter said: “It seems like the government wants to confine us to an indefinite period of lockdown.
“We have argued for some relaxation but they have not listened.
“Garden meetings are something we have repeatedly pushed for to be allowed.
“Most people can see it is plainly ridiculous that you can meet Granny in the park at a social distance, but you cannot meet Granny in her garden at that same social distance.
“There are glaring contradictions in the rules.”
The government has been asked to explain why it has rejected the council’s appeal to allow garden meetings, but it had not responded to the request so far.
It is, however, understood there are concerns it may dilute the clarity of the message around people from different homes not meeting.
It seems like the government wants to confine us to an indefinite period of lockdown Peter Soulsby
Sir Peter, who was himself caught breaking lockdown, urged people to stick to the rules.
He said: “Obviously, I have my own experience of this and that has shown how important it is to abide by the rules.
“We need to stick with it until the next review when maybe there will be some changes.”
The continuation of the present measures mean gyms and pools and other indoor leisure buildings cannot yet reopen.
Before yesterday’s announcement, Leicester’s top public health official warned the city is at a “tipping point” with coronavirus, where infection rates could continue to fall or suddenly go up again.
Director of public health Professor Ivan Browne said: “In recent weeks we have seen a lifting of many of the restrictions that have been placed on Leicester.
“The numbers are still not where we would like them to be. We remain at a tipping point where the numbers could go up or down.
“We know lots of people have made sacrifices but there are a few who are not complying with the guidance and encouragement we are giving them to make sure this virus doesn’t spread.”
Prof Browne said, it was important people stuck to the rules, not to go to other people’s homes, and to get tested immediately if they have Covid-19 symptoms.
He said: “We need to continue to do this work to get into the best possible position we can as the winter approaches.
“As we continue to defend ourselves and those we love, let’s do this now and do this together.”