text: LocalGov.co.uk - Your authority on UK local government - Leicester locks down after surge in coronavirus
  Ann McGauran 30 June 2020
  Shops that were allowed to open on 15 June will have to close again from today, and all schools in the area identified will be forced to shut to most children from Thursday and will not reopen until next term. Bars, restaurants and hairdressers will not open on July 4 as planned.
  The changes will also apply to parts of Leicestershire close to the city's boundaries, with Leicestershire CC and Public Health England working on the detail of this.
  Health secretary Matt Hancock said the number of positive coronavirus cases in Leicester was 'three times higher than the next highest city'.
  He added: 'We have been monitoring it incredibly closely, and we have put in extra testing units. Some of the schools in Leicester were closed already.
  'We also went into some of the factories and workplaces where there was an outbreak and we put in place measures. These sort of much more targeted measures have worked in other outbreaks.'
  He continued: 'We've been taking this highly localised approach but unfortunately that targeted action wasn't working in Leicester and that's why we have taken this much broader measure.'
  Sir Peter said: 'These measures are stricter than we anticipated but we understand the need for firm action. I am determined that we will make this work and to minimise the time these additional measures need to be in place in the city.
  'We will of course continue to play our part in keeping people in the city safe and healthy.'
  The Government has said these measures needed to be taken following a surge in cases in the east of the city over the past two weeks. They will be reviewed two weeks after implementation.
  Leicester currently has three mobile testing sites in the city in Evington, Spinney Hill Park and Victoria Park, and a more permanent facility on the edge of Leicester at the Birstall park and ride site. An indoor testing centre is due to open today at the Highfields Community Centre, and further testing sites are planned.
  The council has said it asked the Government for more detailed information after its own public health team noticed a surge in the number of people testing positive in the city.
  The city council was provided with detailed testing information for the first time on Thursday, one week after Mr Hancock announced that there was a local outbreak in Leicester.