Search British govt imposes ‘lockdown by stealth’ in areas identified as Indian variant hotspots The guidance, updated on a government website, applies to Bolton, Blackburn, Kirklees, Bedford, Burnley, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside The British government has caused utter confusion by urging people not to travel in or out of eight areas identified as Indian variant hotspots unless their journeys are “essential”. The guidance, updated on a government website, applies to Bolton, Blackburn, Kirklees, Bedford, Burnley, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside. Most have sizeable Indian or Pakistani populations. Leicester, where Keith Vaz was the Labour MP for over 30 years, is the city where Indians settled after being expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin in 1972. It hosts the biggest Diwali celebrations outside of India.