"No local lockdowns" in Kirklees say public health bosses
There's been confusion over new guidance brought in to try and tackle the Indian variant
Ministers have been accused of bringing in "local lockdowns by stealth" after new guidance was quietly brought out urging people in Indian variant hotspot areas to restrict their socialising and travel.
Labour shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth called on the Government to withdraw the new advice for eight areas in England, where it is being recommended that people do not meet indoors and that travelling in and out of the localities should be avoided.
Health chiefs in the areas have said they were not consulted or informed about the changes, which were published on the Government's website on Friday without a formal announcement.
A joint statement issued by directors of public health in Burnley, Bedford, Blackburn with Darwen, Bolton, Kirklees, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside said:
"Following the national coverage of recently revised guidance we have met with national officials and confirmed there are no restrictions on travel in or out of each of our areas: There are no local lockdowns.
"In areas where the new COVID variant is spreading we are all working together to boost testing and vaccination and to support self-isolation.
"There are sensible public health precautions people can take as individuals in line with the sorts of advice we have all been following throughout the pandemic.
"We will keep sharing that and working with national officials to make sure people understand what they need to think about as they go about their daily lives."