The Health Secretary has announced measures to tackle the high rate of COVID-19 infections in Leicester and the surrounding areas, but I received confirmation this morning that nowhere in Rutland and Melton will be subject to the new measures.
I should explain that over the last month, the rate of infection in Leicester has not decreased in the same way it has across the rest of the country. This means we are now in a position where robust action needs to be taken to contain and localise Leicester’s outbreak – and stop it spreading to areas such as ours that are thankfully not part of the higher infection rate area.
For this reason, new restrictions are being brought in on those areas with higher infection rates. For the next two weeks if you are in an area with a higher infection rate, please stay at home as much as possible and only undertake essential travel. Please do not travel to Melton Mowbray, the vale of Belvoir or Rutland. It is your responsibility to stop the spread of the virus.
It is a testament to the residents and communities of Rutland and Melton’s hard work in adhering to the lockdown that despite the proximity of Leicester, we are not experiencing a similar peak of infections.
I will continue to liaise with Local Authorities, the Department for Health and Social Care and Public Health England to ensure residents are kept informed about Leicester’s outbreak and the implications it may have for them. Please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns and I will come back to you as quickly as I can.
