Businesses have been told some restrictions will be lifted in Leicester from next Thursday, although elements of the local lockdown will continue.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said some non-essential businesses would be allowed to open their doors again even though coronavirus rates in the city remained higher than some other areas.
However pubs, bars, restaurants and hairdressers will stay closed, adding to the economic problems being faced by hundreds of businesses in the city.
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He also said some areas on the edge of the city – including the villages of Birstall, Thurmaston and Glenfield – would be released from lockdown.
Mr Hancock said: “We’re now in a position to relax some but not all of the restrictions that were in place.
“From July 24 we’ll be removing the restrictions on schools and early years childcare and taking a more targeted approach to the restrictions on non-essential retail.
“Restrictions like those for travel and only having social gatherings of up to six people, for example, will remain in force.
“And measures introduced on July 4 like reopening the hospitality sector will also not yet apply.
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“Some say that the local lockdown is unnecessary. I wish this were true, but sadly it remains vital for the health of everyone in Leicester and the rest of the country that these restrictions stay in place.
“We will review them again in a fortnight. I hope that this careful easing of restrictions will provide some comfort to people in Leicester and Leicestershire.
“And I’d say this directly to the people of Leicester and of Leicestershire: I pay tribute to you all.
“Your perseverance and your hard work has brought real and tangible results and you’ve shown respect for one another.”
Shadow health secretary and Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth criticised the Government for delays in bringing in the original lockdown but welcomed extra testing in Leicester and paid tribute to those living in the city for their efforts during 17 weeks of restrictions.
He told the House of Commons: “If we still have to make further personal sacrifice to keep people safe and hunt this virus down with the lockdown, then so be it.
“But there’s no question there will be a degree of dismay across the city in response to the Secretary of State’s remarks.”
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Mr Ashworth said many businesses would want to know if they can get extra support if they cannot reopen.
He also called on Mr Hancock to ensure people in the city who have booked foreign holidays which they can’t go on would be reimbursed.
And he asked how official investigations into allegations of factory sweatshops forcing people to work in unsafe conditions were going.
He said: “And of course, there has been widespread speculation about the garment industry.
“Can he tell us how many HSE inspections and how many HMRC inspections have now taken place in Leicester’s textile factories, particularly since the Home Secretary a couple of weeks ago promised us she would stamp out any illegal exploitation?”
Mr Hancock responded that he announced that “all unnecessary social contact should cease” at the right time in March.
On calls to reimburse Leicester families for missed holidays, he said: “Of course I would urge holiday companies that people in Leicester have booked with to reimburse people in Leicester who might have booked a holiday at this point.
Mr Hancock added: “I think we across the whole House would strongly support action to ensure that illegal, insecure work is stamped out.
“The Home Secretary is taking action where that is appropriate, but of course, the public health response is vital.”