People have been asked to stay at home for this week's Bonfire Night celebrations if they are displaying certain symptoms, even if their Covid-19 tests come back negative.

With Covid-19 cases on the rise in Leicestershire, people are being advised to take extra precautions this week so that events can be celebrated safely.

Anyone wishing to attend the Diwali or Bonfire Night celebrations this week should take two lateral flow tests, one before the event and one following their return to school or work to minimise the risk of spreading the virus.

However, Leicester City Council has also asked that anyone displaying cold or flu-like symptoms to stay home and not mix with others, even if their tests come back negative.

Ivan Browne, director of public health for Leicester City Council, said: "While the risk of transmission at an outdoor event is much lower than in an indoor space, the virus can easily be passed on when people are close together.

"That's why we're asking people to take a quick lateral flow test before attending Diwali Day or Bonfire Night events, just to make sure they're not carrying the virus without realising it.

"We're also asking people – from primary school age upwards – to test themselves again, before returning to their school or workplace.

"To further reduce the risk of transmission, we're also asking anyone with any cold or flu-like symptoms to stay at home and not mix with others – even if they've had a negative rapid COVID test.

"Wearing a face covering whenever you're in a crowded space – whether that's indoors or outdoors – is a really good idea, and don't forget that regular hand-washing is an important part of your COVID-19 defences.

"Visiting friends and families in their homes is a traditional part of Diwali Day, but please remember that the virus thrives indoors. If you are inviting people in to your home, keep the windows open and encourage visitors to wear a face covering – even if everyone is fully vaccinated."

This comes after the county saw a rise in cases following the October half term, which many hoped would act as a firebreak.

Official figures up for the seven days up until October 27 show the infection rate in Blaby had risen to 496.3 cases per 100,000 people from 363.9 the week before.

In the same timeframe, the rate in Charnwood had risen from 341.3 to 432.6, in Hinckley and Bosworth from 482.1 to 569.2 and in Harborough from 390.4 to 476.3.

The City of Leicester, which had its half term in the same week as Leicester, also saw its infection rate rise from 312.7 to 415.2 in the same period.

Mike Sandys, director of public health for Leicestershire County Council, said high case rates are no longer due to just infections in school age children, with a 'worrying' rise being reported in people over 30.

He too said people need to be thinking about how they can celebrate safely this week, though he added that he is less concerned about events organised outside.

He said: "I'm not so worried about outdoor events, so if you're going to a Bonfire Night or fireworks display outside, I haven't got a problem with that.

"If there is a risk, it's around having a party or a family gathering which is indoors.

"Again, it's probably not a bad time to remember some of the messaging we were giving last Christmas where we were saying: 'If you're going to do these things, just think a little bit more about that mix of younger people who might be unvaccinated, where they are in relation to your older more vulnerable relatives'.

"It's just a case of remembering why we need to do these things, like ventilation and distancing."