Plans to ease guidance for those shielding
Earlier this week, the government announced that the guidance for people ‘shielding’ from coronavirus will be relaxed again in two stages in July and August. Shielding is for those who are clinically extremely vulnerable. We know that there are lots of people who are at higher risk if they catch the virus, but the national shielding service is only for the most at risk. There are just over 8,000 people in our borough in that category.
From 6 July, people who are shielding will be able to spend time outdoors in a group of up to six people, including those outside of their household, while maintaining social distancing. People shielding who live alone or are single parents with children will also be able to create a ‘support bubble’ with one other household of any size, following the same rules already in place for the wider population.
The big change will come on Saturday 1 August, when the guidance will be further relaxed so that clinically extremely vulnerable people will no longer be advised to shield. They will continue to have access to priority supermarket delivery slots – but they should have registered online for them before 17 July. NHS Volunteer Responders will also continue to offer support to those who need it, including collecting and delivering food and medicines. The boxes delivered by the National Shielding Service will stop as of 1 August as individuals are advised they can visit shops and pharmacies.
Letters are being sent from the government directly to people who are shielding, giving more information. The letters advise that the Council can assist shielders with the next steps, and we are working now on what support we can put in place to help people through the transition – if you are affected, and especially if you are taking a Government food delivery, we’ll be in touch soon. The latest information from the government can be found here. |
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