Leicester lockdown: Is Leicester still in local lockdown? What is the R rate in Leicester?
LEICESTER was one of the first cities to re-enter lockdown after the Government repealed the nationwide measures this year. But is Leicester still in lockdown, and what is the R rate?
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Leicester entered lockdown again in June, less than one month after the Government allowed people to return to a "new normal". Other cities have since followed, mostly around the north and Midlands, but cases in the UK as a whole have notably spiked. Officials have opted to keep a close eye on the infection rate, which is now rising towards the danger zone.
Is Leicester still in local lockdown?
Ministers have subjected Leicester's lockdown to regular review to determine whether the measures must stay in place to curb infections.
Speaking last week, they said a review was due on Monday, August 17, which would decide whether they could release the restrictions.
But according to the Leicester Mercury, the City Council has indicated it expects an announcement from the Department of Health and Social Care tomorrow, August 18.
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In the meantime, people will have to continue abiding by restrictions imposed on the city.
Amongst these is a ban on indoor congregation which prevents groups gathering in homes.
National easements scheduled for August 15 will also not apply, meaning venues such as casinos, skating rinks and other indoor play areas must remain closed.
Gyms, swimming pools and other indoor sporting venues must also shut.
The Government has advised people not to:
- Host people you do not live with in your home or garden unless they’re in your support bubble
- Meet people you do not live with in their home or garden
- Travel outside of the protected area in Leicester to meet people in their home or garden
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What is the R rate in Leicester?
The Government has used the R "reproduction" rate to calculate how many people one victim could pass COVID-19 to.
An R rate of one indicates one person could pass the disease to at least one more person, and officials have endeavoured to keep it lower than this.
The rate has crept up slightly over the UK, between R0.8 and R1.
Local data shows the same rate applies to Leicester.
But SAGE has indicated the R could rise, although its estimates come from older data.
They said in a statement: “We are starting to see early indications that these values may be increasing.
“This is not yet fully reflected in these estimates because the data used to calculate R and growth rate reflect the situation from a few weeks ago.”