Leicester lockdown set to be extended amid continuing high coronavirus infection rate

The lockdown in Leicester is expected to be extended after concerns that the city's coronavirus infection rate is still too high.

Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, met Leicester Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby on Monday to discuss the measures.

A decision on whether to extend the lockdown for another two weeks is expected to be made on Saturday.

Dr Jonathan Van Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, said on Monday that Leicester remains an "outlier", with higher Covid-19 infection rates.

He said that, while it would not be his decision to end the lockdown, doing so "can't be rushed".

Last month, Leicester became the first city to see a local lockdown imposed after public health officials raised alarm over the number of Covid-19 cases in the city.

On June 29, Mr Hancock announced that, from the following day, non-essential shops would be forced to close and that, from July 2, schools would be shut to all but vulnerable children and the children of key workers.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester, Dr Van Tam said: "Leicester is still quite an outlier in terms of the rates of coronavirus infection compared with any other place in the country, and any other place in the East Midlands."

Leicester's residents have been advised to "stay at home as much as you can", and only essential travel to and from the city has been allowed.

Its bars, restaurants and hairdressers therefore did not open on July 4 in line with the rest of the country, while shops that had begun to reopen were ordered to shut again.

The lockdown covers the city of Leicester as well as surrounding areas including Birstall, Beaumont Leys, Glenfield and South Wigston.

The Government said at the time that the measures would be reviewed two weeks after implementation.

Boris Johnson later described local lockdowns as a measure of "last resort". The Prime Minister set out "five principal components" for tackling new potential outbreaks – "monitoring, engagement, testing, targeted restrictions" and finally lockdown.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference this month, he warned that local lockdowns would remain a "feature of our lives for some time to come".

Announcing the lockdown in the Commons last month, Mr Hancock told MPs: "I know that this is a worrying time for people living in Leicester, and I want you to know you have our full support."

"We do not take these decisions lightly, but with the interests of the people of Leicester in our hearts.”

At the time, the Health Secretary said the city's seven-day infection rate was "three times higher than the next highest city".