Leicester’s local lockdown to be partially eased

Leicester's local lockdown will be partially eased to allow some businesses to reopen but Health Secretary Matt Hancock said coronavirus cases remain too high to ease all the restrictions in the city.

Nail bars, beauty salons and tanning booths can reopen from Wednesday, while guidance telling outdoor music venues and theatres to stay closed will be dropped.

But residents in the lockdown area will not be able to meet inside a private home or garden of someone they have not formed a "support bubble" with.

The easing will bring the city into line with the easing of restrictions introduced for much of the nation on July 11 and 13.

Mr Hancock said: "My gratitude goes out to the people of Leicester who have all made sacrifices to keep the virus at bay and protect their local communities.

"The rate of infection has now dropped to a safe enough level to allow further businesses including beauty salons, nail bars and some outdoor venues to reopen in the area.

"Current restrictions on gatherings must remain in place to further bring down the rate of infection."