U-turn on Indian variant hotspot guidance

The government has updated its travel advice for eight Indian variant hotspots after it was accused of trying to introduce local lockdowns “by stealth”.

The government sparked anger after publishing advice on its website on Friday advising that all but essential travel in and out of the eight areas of England worst affected by the Indian variant of coronavirus should be avoided – without an official announcement.

The amended advice now asks people to minimise travel into and out of Bolton, Blackburn, Kirklees, Bedford, Burnley, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside. Those in the affected areas are also being asked to meet outdoors and stay 2m apart from anyone in other households, wherever possible.

A government spokesperson said the guidance had been updated to “make it clearer we are not imposing local restrictions”, adding: “Instead, we are providing advice on the additional precautions people can take to protect themselves and others in those areas where the new variant is prevalent.”

The embarrassing U-turn came after the directors of public health in all eight of the areas told residents to disregard the travel advice.

In a joint statement, they 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.”

They said they were working to increase vaccination and testing, as well as to support those self-isolating. They said: “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.”

Their statement came soon after Nadhim Zahawi, the vaccines minister, told the Commons that travel in and out of the eight areas affected should be avoided unless necessary, for work or education. His advice was in line with the coronavirus restrictions posted on the government website on Friday.

Jon Ashworth, Labour’s shadow health secretary condemned the confused messaging, accusing Matt Hancock, the health secretary, of “local lockdowns by stealth, by the back door”. He branded the advice “insulting” to areas that had already “borne the brunt of the crisis”.

Bolton Council’s Conservative leader David Greenhalgh said there had been a “fear” the town would be singled out for a local lockdown and said: “As long as they follow the guidance I don’t believe residents in Bolton should be cancelling holidays.”

Overall cases of Covid are at their highest rate for six months in Bolton, at 452.1 cases per 100,000 people. The Royal Bolton Hospital said it would take “urgent action” to manage an increase in Covid patients.