The number of cases across Colchester and Tendring districts has doubled in the past week. It comes as Colchester officials have called on residents living in Tier 3 and 4 hotspots to stay away. Mike Lilley, Colchester Council’s public safety boss, has written to the town’s MP Will Quince to ask if police can be given extra powers to stop outsiders coming in. Mr Lilley said: “I’ve had people asking me about why people from Tier 4 areas are allowed to come into Colchester to visit. “Saturday night there were sightings of taxis from Braintree and Chelmsford, dropping people off in the town.