1 June 2020
The following information is from our partners at Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs)
The UK Government has just updated its guidance for vulnerable people who are shielding, which now takes into account that COVID-19 disease levels are substantially lower than when shielding was initially introduced.
Any people who are shielding in Shropshire or Telford & Wrekin remain vulnerable and should continue to take precautions, but the updated guidance from the Government says they can now leave their home if they wish, as long as they maintain strict social distancing.
Those shielding can now choose to spend time outdoors, this can be with members of their own household. Or if they live alone, they can spend time outdoors with one person from another household, though ideally, this should be the same person each time. If they do go out, they should take extra care to minimise contact with others by keeping two metres apart.
Dr Julian Povey, Chair of NHS Shropshire CCG comments: “Whilst it is encouraging that we are starting to see lower levels of COVID-19 nationally, I would still encourage anyone who is particularly vulnerable and is shielding to continue to maintain the strict social distancing measures announced by the Government at the weekend which will help protect them from coronavirus.”
Dr Jo Leahy, Chair of NHS Telford and Wrekin CCG also said: “It’s really important to highlight that this updated guidance is not just for people, including children, who are clinically extremely vulnerable, it’s also for their family, friends and carers who will come into contact with them.”
People who are clinically extremely vulnerable are at high risk of getting seriously ill from coronavirus (COVID-19). They should have received a letter advising them to shield or have been told by their GP or hospital clinician.