UK Government Imposes Lockdown Measures in Leicester City Amid COVID-19 Resurgence

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] The central English city of Leicester, where the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is rapidly resurging, will be placed under lockdown. This is the first time that lockdown measures have been limited to a specific region rather than the entire UK.

According to Sky News on the 30th (local time), Matt Hancock, the UK Secretary of State for Health, appeared in the House of Commons last night to announce the introduction of lockdown measures for Leicester.

Accordingly, non-essential businesses excluding grocery stores and pharmacies in the Leicester area will close again starting today. School facilities will also be closed from the 2nd of next month.

From the 4th of next month, pubs, restaurants, cafes, hotels, and hair salons across England will resume operations, but Leicester will be an exception.

The UK government urged Leicester residents to stay at home as much as possible and not to leave the area. Citizens from other regions were also advised not to travel to Leicester.

Minister Hancock stated that the Leicester lockdown will be implemented for two weeks and then reviewed. It is reported that this lockdown will also apply to areas near Leicester.

The regional lockdown is due to a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in the Leicester area. Last week, 10% of the UK's confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in Leicester.

The number of confirmed cases per 100,000 people in Leicester is 135, which is three times higher than the second highest city.

However, since legal backing is required for the lockdown, the government stated that it will proceed with related measures.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.