EALING residents are currently being advised by the Government not to travel into the neighbouring Borough of Hounslow due to a local outbreak of the Indian variant.

The government has issued new guidance for eight Indian variant hotspots across England, which includes Hounslow – the only London borough affected.

People are advised not to leave the borough or visit it.

There was confusion this morning as the government made no official announcement and the advice was discovered by journalists on its website.

The advice is: "In the areas listed, wherever possible, you should try to meet outside rather than inside where possible; keep two metres apart from people that you don't live with (unless you have formed a support bubble with them), this includes friends and family you don't live with; avoid travelling in and out of affected areas unless it is essential, for example for work (if you cannot work from home) or education."

Hounslow Council health chief, Katherine Dunn, said the council was seeking advice from the government.

She tweeted: "I know some @LBofHounslow residents have seen this and are wondering what is going on.

"We are seeking urgent clarification from the government and will update residents as soon as possible."

This comes as both Ealing and Hounslow, along with three other West London boroughs have started surge testing for the Indian variant.