The city of Leicester is the first in the UK to be put under a local lockdown by the UK government in response to a surge in coronavirus cases.

The health secretary, Matt Hancock, said the city had "10 percent of all positive cases in the country over the past week" and strict measures would therefore "unfortunately" need to be reimposed.

From Thursday onwards, schools that partially reopened in June will have to shut and non-essential shops that were allowed to lift their shutters on 15 June have had to close immediately.

Rakesh Parmer, who owns Ye Olde Sweet Shop in the city center, says another lockdown will be devastating for his business.

"We've been badly affected financially but I totally get why they have to do it. It is very frightening indeed, because you don't know who's got the virus at all, you just don't know and we've got to take precautions for ourselves and fingers crossed other people take precautions as well and follow the guidelines.

Existing lockdown restrictions that are set to be eased in England on 4 July will also be extended. Hairdressers, restaurants, bars and pubs in Leicester and some surrounding areas now must remain closed for a further two weeks at least.

Bar manager of the New Market Tavern, Sarah Gillett, had been preparing for her cutomers' return. Now she's having to throw away thousands of pints. She says the timing couldn't be worse.

"We're a bit gutted, a lot gutted, we've all been away for 12, 13 weeks and we just wanted to get open again and obviously now we can't, but if that's what the government says, then we've got to abide by it. I'm on furlough, I've started back officially, now I'm going to have to go back on it."

Leicester City Council has published a map to show the boundary where the localized lockdown will be in force. People within the boundary are being urged to only make essential journeys and stay at home as much as they can.

Hancock said the measures would be enforced by police "in some cases" and "underpinned" by legal changes that are being brought forward "very shortly in the next couple of days."

But authorities are calling for clarity. Dave Stokes, chairman of Leicestershire Police Federation, said the government needs to provide more detail on what the public can and cannot do during lockdown and what powers officers will have. 

He said: "As we have seen over recent weeks and months, if the guidance and messaging from the government is confusing for the public, then it will be almost impossible for our colleagues to police."

Leicestershire Police said in a statement: "This is a dynamic situation and we will adjust accordingly, providing proportionate policing under the relevant legislation to help keep people safe in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Our approach has always been clear that we will use the four Es – Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce – where necessary."

Leicester currently has 135 cases per 100,000 people – three times the amount of infections in the next highest city.

A walk-in testing center is being set up in the city for people with symptoms, with extra funding going to all Leicestershire councils to help support businesses and public health officials issue more targeted messages.

Leicester City councillor Ratilal Govind says there is still confusion and also concern that lack of translation has hampered communication in one of the UK's most diverse and multicultural cities.

"They are worried, there is a language barrier, not enough information has gone out." 

The mayor of Leicester, Peter Soulsby, said he hoped the city would be able to work with the government to "get on top of whatever is out there."