Measures failed to stop virus spread in Leicester – Hancock

ACTION to slow the spread of coronavirus in Leicester over the past 11 days failed to work and tougher measures were needed, the Health Secretary has said.

Matt Hancock said a range of targeted interventions over the last week or so – including working with factories that saw a spike in cases – had not managed to stem the outbreak.

It came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked the people of Leicester for their “forbearance” in dealing with the new coronavirus restrictions.

Mr Hancock told BBC Breakfast: “We have been monitoring it incredibly closely, we have put in extra testing units, some of the schools in Leicester were closed already.

“We also went into some of the factories and workplaces where there was an outbreak and we put in place measures.

“These sorts of much more targeted measures have worked in other outbreaks.

“So we’ve been taking this highly localised approach but unfortunately that targeted action wasn’t working in Leicester and that’s why we have taken this much broader measure.”

Under the new lockdown measures, non-essential shops will close in Leicester while schools will close to most pupils from tomorrow.

People are also being told to avoid all but essential travel to, from, and within Leicester and should stay at home as much as possible.

The planned opening of restaurants, pubs, cafes, hairdressers and cinemas across England from Saturday will also not happen in Leicester.

Mr Hancock said Leicester had seen 10% of all positive cases in England over the past week, while Leicester’s seven-day infection rate was 135 cases per 100,000 – three times that of the next highest city.

Earlier, Mr Hancock did not rule out forcing people to stop travelling outside of Leicester but said he hoped locals would heed the new advice.

“On travel, we are recommending against travel unless it is essential but we are not putting that in place in law at this stage,” he said. “Of course we will if we have to.”

A statement from Leicestershire Police said it was a “dynamic situation” and it would “provide proportionate policing under the relevant legislation”.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said his party supported tougher measures in Leicester but the Government had “been slow about it” and many people were left with their questions unanswered.