The Government is warning people to stay away from Leicester, claiming the city is one of eight areas where the Indian strain of coronavirus is spreading fastest.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) says people should only visit Leicester if essential to do so for work purposes

The guidance on restrictions to stop the spread of Covoid-19 was updated on the DHSC website Friday afternoon but no wider announcement was made.

Similar warnings were also given concerning Bedford, Blackburn, Bolton, Burnley, Kirklees in West Yorkshire, Hounslow in London and North Tyneside in the North East.

The situation only became known nationally after it was reported by the Manchester Evening News last night.

Today, national media reported criticism of the move as 'local lockdowns by stealth.'

Leicester currently has a 7-day case rate of 55 cases per 100,000, based on 195 cases recorded over the past week, according to the UK government's Covid-19 tracker.

The equivalent figure for Rutland is 15 cases per 100,000 based on six cases over the past week.