Thousands of Islanders who have been shielding will be pleased to hear the news announced this evening (Monday).
Those who have been shielding from coronavirus (COVID-19) will be advised they can spend more time outside their homes from Monday 6th July, the Health and Social Care Secretary has announced in today’s daily briefing.
From Monday 6th July, those who have been shielding will be able to spend time outdoors in a group of up to 6 people including those outside of their household, while maintaining social distancing, the Health and Social Care Secretary confirmed.
This comes as the latest scientific evidence shows the chances of encountering the virus in the community continue to decline, but the government is committed to continuing with the unprecedented package of support until the end of July to give those shielding time to adjust to these changes.
From Saturday 1st August, the guidance will then be relaxed so clinically extremely vulnerable people will no longer be advised to shield, but support will remain available from NHS volunteers and local councils.
People will retain their priority for supermarket delivery slots, and still be able to access help with shopping, medication, phone calls and transport to medical appointments.
While this group of clinically extremely vulnerable people should continue to follow strict social distancing measures, they will be able to participate in more activities such as visiting shops and places of worship.
From 1st August, those who need to work and cannot do so from home will be able to return to work as long as their workplace is COVID secure, adhering to the guidance available.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jenny Harries, has said:
“Shielding was introduced to safeguard those who, at the start of the epidemic in the UK, were thought to be most clinically vulnerable in our communities.
“We know how difficult this period has been and the impact shielding has had on many people’s mental health.
“The prevalence of the virus in the community is now lower and chances of getting infected are reduced, so we believe it is the right time to relax some of the advice so people can start to regain a degree of normality once more in their daily lives.
“People should continue to follow social distancing guidance when outside their homes, as well as frequently washing their hands, to minimise the risk of becoming infected.
“We will continue to monitor the evidence closely and adjust the advice accordingly if there are any changes in the rates of infection that could impact on this group.”
The government has worked closely with clinicians, GPs, charities, the voluntary sector and patient groups to consult on these changes and will continue to do so to provide support and advice to those they represent.
Following this review of the shielding measures, the government will be writing to all individuals on the Shielded Patient List with updated information on shielding advice and the ongoing support that will be available to them.
Those identified as clinically extremely vulnerable should continue to remain at home as much as possible, taking particular care to minimise contact with others outside their household and practise good, frequent handwashing.
The NHS will maintain the Shielded Patient List to ensure that we continue to provide the best advice to those identified as clinically extremely vulnerable. Should the level of the disease in the community rise in the future, it may be necessary to advise that more restrictive measures should be taken in order for those at highest risk to keep themselves safe.
More information can be found on the GOV.UK website.
Virus has not gone away. I’ll still be taking precautions. But yes we do need to move on, can’t stay in doors all the time. Very lucky I work from home anyway. But a lot of us shielding normally have to go to the mainland for treatment and I do not yet consider that safe. Not had a blood test for over 6 months now, well over due. My care is suffering as has my health. Not been to my clinic since November. Zero thought from the government on how to people who need monitoring will get the help / tests they need. NHS left to make it up as they go along. Thank you to the council helpers and staff at doctors for delivering my meds.