(London) The British government announced on Thursday that the tight confinement in the city of Leicester (center) two weeks ago, due to an outbreak of new coronavirus, was to be partially alleviated.
Published on 16 July 2020 at 13 h 58
France Media Agency
The Minister of Health Matt Hancock reminded the Parliament that he had taken the “difficult decision” to tighten locally the confinement in this city of the center of England, because it presented a rate of infection ” three times higher than the rest of the country ”and concentrated 10% of cases tested positive.
While the rest of the country was preparing to further loosen the containment established on 23 March in the United Kingdom, Leicester had to close its stores again non-essential shops and its schools.
“We are now in a position to lift some measures in place, but not all of the restrictions,” said the Minister of Health, because the two indicators that alerted the authorities have since declined, “but are still good above the national average and surrounding areas. ”
The Minister has thus indicated that schools and child care systems could reopen from 24 July, but that it would still be prohibited to meet with more than 6 people outside, to travel or to reopen bars, pubs and restaurants.
The lightening of containment is a delicate moment for the Conservative government, already very criticized for its management of the pandemic, which has made more 45 000 dead in the UK, the most affected country in Europe.
The government's chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance, told a parliamentary committee on Thursday that “the result was clearly not good in the United Kingdom”, warning that it was “very likely” that the winter results in a further increase in cases of COVID – 19.
“Some say that local containment is useless. I wish it were true, but unfortunately it is vital to the health of everyone in Leicester and the rest of the country that these restrictions remain in place, “added Mr Hancock.
The minister has promised to review these measures in two weeks, hoping that this first “prudent relaxation will bring some comfort” to 340 000 residents of Leicester.