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Coronavirus: What could local lockdowns look like in England? Coronavirus: How would a local lockdown work in Leicester?
(about 1 hour later)
Leicester could be kept in the current stage of lockdown for another two weeks because of a local surge in coronavirus cases. Leicester could be kept in the current stage of lockdown for another two weeks, because of a local surge in coronavirus cases.
Pubs and restaurants may stay closed in the city, when they reopen in the rest of England on Saturday, the government has recommended. But local politicians say it is unclear how restrictions can still be maintained in one area.
But local politicians say it's still unclear how restrictions can still be maintained in one area and not other parts of the country.
What's meant by 'local lockdown'?What's meant by 'local lockdown'?
On 27 May, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that local restrictions, or lockdowns, could be used in specific areas in England if there were localised "flare-ups". Local restrictions, or lockdowns, could be used in specific areas in England to counter localised coronavirus "flare-ups".
He said the Joint Biosecurity Centre (which advises the government on the Covid alert level) would work with local health teams "to address local spikes in infections". The Joint Biosecurity Centre will work with local health teams "to address local spikes in infections".
What remains unclear is whether a local lockdown would focus only on the exact location where the outbreak takes place - a school, a care home or a workplace, for example - or would it cover a whole area, such as a postcode, a town, or even a city. It is unclear whether a local lockdown would focus only on the exact location of an outbreak - like a school, care home or workplace - or would cover a whole area, such as a postcode, a town, or even a city.
The power to lock down a premises if it presents a health hazard, is something which local councils already have. But the idea of locking down a whole city has also been hinted at by the government. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC on 31 May, "We will target specific settings or particular regions or geographic areas." Councils already have the power to lock down a premises if it presents a health hazard. But the government has also hinted at the idea of locking down a whole city.
However, local politicians say they do not have the powers to enforce such measures, and have called on the government to give more clarity on how they expect them to work. However, local politicians say they do not have the powers to enforce such measures, and have asked for more clarity.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Social Care has said it would be publishing further guidance on containing local outbreaks "shortly". A Department of Health spokeswoman said further guidance on containing local outbreaks would be published "shortly".
What could happen?What could happen?
A few examples of outbreaks being dealt with locally, have been seen recently at meat factories in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, and Anglesey in Wales, Recent outbreaks have occurred at meat factories in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, Anglesey in Wales, as well as Leicester.
The factories were closed, with all staff told to self-isolate and get tested.The factories were closed, with all staff told to self-isolate and get tested.
People who had been in contact with those who tested positive were asked to isolate for 14 days, while at the Cleckheaton factory those deemed healthy enough were later allowed to return. People who had been in contact with those who tested positive were asked to isolate for 14 days, while in Cleckheaton, those deemed healthy enough were later allowed to return.
Councils say the plan would be similar for schools. If enough cases were detected, a school could be closed and all staff and pupils could self-isolate for 14 days.Councils say the plan would be similar for schools. If enough cases were detected, a school could be closed and all staff and pupils could self-isolate for 14 days.
Risk assessments could be carried out afterwards to decide when a premises might be reopened.Risk assessments could be carried out afterwards to decide when a premises might be reopened.
Public health officials have also suggested people in areas with an outbreak might be contacted by councils via leaflets or even visited by local health workers or politicians to spread awareness of the virus. Public health officials have also suggested people in affected areas might receive council leaflets or be visited by local health workers or politicians to spread awareness.
Local lockdowns could also mean more widespread testing, according to Krishna Ramkhelawon, director of public health for Southend-on-Sea Council: "The most important thing would be to define the scope of an outbreak, and possibly test everyone in an area."Local lockdowns could also mean more widespread testing, according to Krishna Ramkhelawon, director of public health for Southend-on-Sea Council: "The most important thing would be to define the scope of an outbreak, and possibly test everyone in an area."
What's happening in Leicester?
The city has seen a recent rise in positive cases of coronavirus.
In the two weeks to 23 June, there were 866 positive cases in the city - 29% of the 2,987 who have tested positive since the pandemic began.
The cases are thought to be mostly among younger, working-age people living in the east of the city.
The government is now recommending maintaining the current lockdown for two weeks beyond 4 July.
However, the city's mayor has said local officials still do not have the information they need to maintain the lockdown in their area.
The Department of Health said there are now four mobile testing units in the city and thousands of home testing kits have been made available.
Could a whole area be locked down?Could a whole area be locked down?
Local councils say they do not currently have the power to lock down whole areas, such as a town or city. Local councils say they do not currently have the power to do this.
What's more, many of them doubt such a plan could be put into practice. The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has said he "struggles to see how it can be effectively enforced". Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has said he "struggles to see how it can be effectively enforced".
He added that singling out a particular area for restrictions would also cause tensions.He added that singling out a particular area for restrictions would also cause tensions.
Short of barricading the streets, councils say they are not sure how they could enforce heavy restrictions such as travel bans in any single place.Short of barricading the streets, councils say they are not sure how they could enforce heavy restrictions such as travel bans in any single place.
Have other countries tried local lockdowns?Have other countries tried local lockdowns?
In Germany, local authorities have the power to vary the level of restrictions in individual states, and a number of small lockdowns have been imposed recently.In Germany, local authorities have the power to vary the level of restrictions in individual states, and a number of small lockdowns have been imposed recently.
On 23 June the state of North Rhine-Westphalia re-imposed lockdown measures in two districts, after a spike in infections connected to a meat processing plant. Bars, museums, cinemas and gyms were closed, stricter social distancing was reintroduced, and an appeal was made to local residents "not to travel to other districts". On 23 June the state of North Rhine-Westphalia reimposed lockdown measures in two districts, after a spike in infections connected to a meat processing plant. Bars, museums, cinemas and gyms were closed, stricter social distancing was reintroduced, and local residents were asked "not to travel to other districts".
However, there has been resistance to this approach. In the town of Gottingen, police were called in to enforce quarantine on a tower block, where 120 residents had tested positive for Covid-19. However, there has been resistance to this approach. In Gottingen, police had to enforce quarantine on a tower block where 120 residents had tested positive.
Meanwhile in China, following a recent outbreak in Beijing, a local lockdown has been enforced in parts of the city.Meanwhile in China, following a recent outbreak in Beijing, a local lockdown has been enforced in parts of the city.
People in medium or high-risk areas are currently prevented from leaving their neighbourhood, rail and flight services have been cut, and schools, swimming pools and gyms closed. People in medium or high-risk areas cannot leave their neighbourhood, rail and flight services have been cut, and schools, swimming pools and gyms closed.
What has been said about local lockdowns in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland? What has been said about the rest of the UK?
Public Health Wales said that a local lockdown was under consideration after the recent outbreak in Anglesey. However, First Minister Mark Drakeford said that any decision would be not be taken lightly, given the likely heavy cost on people''s lives and freedom. Public Health Wales said that a local lockdown was under consideration after the recent outbreak in Anglesey. However, First Minister Mark Drakeford said that any decision would be not be taken lightly.
The Scottish government - for which public health teams work for the NHS, rather than councils - says it is developing a "responsive system of community surveillance" at a national, regional and local level to identify outbreaks quickly.The Scottish government - for which public health teams work for the NHS, rather than councils - says it is developing a "responsive system of community surveillance" at a national, regional and local level to identify outbreaks quickly.
In Northern Ireland, the government says that any potential clusters or outbreaks will be handled using "appropriate infection control" in line with its normal guidelines for handling an outbreak of a disease.In Northern Ireland, the government says that any potential clusters or outbreaks will be handled using "appropriate infection control" in line with its normal guidelines for handling an outbreak of a disease.
Additional Reporting by: Ben Butcher and the Local Democracy Reporter ServiceAdditional Reporting by: Ben Butcher and the Local Democracy Reporter Service