Ministers published travel guidance for eight areas of England without telling local officialsMinisters relaxed new travel guidance for more than two million people living in areas hit by the spread of the Indian coronavirus variant after criticism from Conservative MPs and local health officials. The government was accused of incompetence and spreading “confusion” after warning residents in eight areas of England that they should only leave them for essential reasons. SponsoredThe change in the guidelines was not communicated to public health officials and local councils, leading to claims the ministers were imposing “local lockdowns by stealth”. After a day of recrimination and confusion ministers promised to “update” their guidance to make clear they were “not imposing local restrictions” and that the new measures were voluntary. “We are providing advice on the additional precautions people can take to

Source: The Times May 25, 2021 11:02 UTC