I have been contacted by a number of constituents about the Government's guidance for those who are clinically vulnerable and extremely vulnerable on shielding and social distancing. In response, I have posted the article below followed by the detailed Government guidance. I hope this is helpful and clarifies the issues for those who are concerned.
Thank you to all those who have contacted me about this.
This is a difficult time for people across the country, and we must all be extremely grateful to everyone who has been following government guidance that by staying alert and keeping socially distant they help to slow the spread of the virus and reduce pressure on the NHS frontline.
Scientific guidance so far indicates that Covid-19 spreads mainly when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and droplets from their mouth or nose are launched into the air and land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. On this reading of the evidence, by limiting the amount of contact people have with each other, we can slow down the spread of the infection.
Until there is a method for treating, or preventing, this virus, through medicines or vaccines, some social distancing measures are likely to be in place. This is particularly important for groups that have been identified to be of greater risk of experiencing the illness in its most severe form, or of experiencing complications. These groups include people over 70, people under 70 with an underlying health condition like asthma, diabetes, or a weakened immune system, and those who are pregnant.
I welcome clear Government guidance - PLEASE SEE DETAILED GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE BELOW - that indicates that, from 4 July, clinically vulnerable people can now meet people both outdoors and indoors, while remaining vigilant about hygiene. Those classed as clinically extremely vulnerable, who have been advised to shield, are now able to form support bubbles, and spend time outdoors in a group of up to 6 people; from 1 August, advice for clinically extremely vulnerable people will move in line with advice to those who are clinically vulnerable. While these steps are being taken as long as the incidence rate in the community remains low, they will be most welcome for individuals who have been shielding since March.
It is so important that members of the public continue to follow the guidance laid out by the Government, even though I know that this can be challenging. Our absolute priority must be to save lives by slowing the spread of the virus.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Craig Whittaker MP
July 2020
Government Guidance for Clinically Vulnerable People (03.07.20)
Clinically vulnerable people
If you have any of the following health conditions, you may be clinically vulnerable, meaning you could be at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. Although you can meet people outdoors and, from 4 July, indoors, you should be especially careful and be diligent about social distancing and hand hygiene.
Clinically vulnerable people are those who are:
- aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
- under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (that is, anyone instructed to get a flu jab each year on medical grounds):
- chronic (long-term) mild to moderate respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
- chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
- chronic kidney disease
- chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
- chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), or cerebral palsy
- diabetes
- a weakened immune system as the result of certain conditions or medicines they are taking (such as steroid tablets)
- being seriously overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above)
- pregnant women
There is a further group of people who are defined, also on medical grounds, as clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus – that is, people with specific serious health conditions - and who have been advised to ‘shield’. We are relaxing advice to those shielding in two stages - as long as the incidence rate in the community remains low:
From 6 July:
- those shielding can spend time outdoors in a group of up to 6 people (including those outside of their household). Extra care should be taken to minimise contact with others by maintaining social distancing. This can be in a public outdoor space, or in a private garden or uncovered yard or terrace
- those shielding no longer need to observe social distancing with other members of their household
- those who are shielding will be able to create a ‘support bubble’ with one other household, as long as one of the households in the bubble is a single adult household (either an adult living alone or with dependent children under 18). All those in a support bubble can spend time together inside each other's homes, including overnight, without needing to maintain social distancing. This follows the same rules on support bubbles that apply to the wider population now
From 1 August advice for clinically extremely vulnerable people will move in line with advice to those who are clinically vulnerable. In practice, this means staying at home as much as possible, and if people do go out, taking particular care to minimise contact with others outside their household (unless you are in a support bubble) and robustly practising good, frequent hand washing.
The relaxation of the shielding guidance will mean people who are clinically extremely vulnerable will be advised they can go to work or to the shops, as long as they are able to maintain social distancing as much as possible and their workplace is COVID-19 Secure.
Support for those shielding will continue to the end of July so that people can plan for these changes.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-socia…