By Michelle Roberts
Health editor, BBC News online
image copyrightGetty ImagesShielding in England will end on 31 March, Heath Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed.
People identified as being “clinically extremely vulnerable” have been advised to take extra care (or “shield”) to avoid contracting Covid-19, because they are considered more at risk of needing hospital treatment.
How many people are on the shielding list?
There are now about four million people being advised to shield.
A combination of factors can contribute to a person’s risk – those taken into consideration include:
- age (older being higher risk)
- ethnicity
- deprivation (according to postcode)
- weight (body mass index)
- underlying health issues
- prescribed medications
Who is on the shielding list?
image copyrightScience Photo Library- Solid organ transplant recipients
- Some people with cancer who are undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy
- People on immunosuppression drugs
- Women who are pregnant and have heart disease
- People with severe respiratory conditions – cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and COPD
- Some people with rare diseases such as severe combined immunodeficiency
- Adults with Down’s syndrome
- Adults on dialysis or with stage 5 chronic kidney disease
The list does not include all elderly people, although they are strongly advised to do social distancing.
What does shielding mean?
Government guidelines strongly advise clinically extremely vulnerable people to stay at home at all times, apart from going out to exercise or attend a medical appointment.
The advice, which runs until 31 March, says to try to keep all contact with others to a minimum and avoid busy areas. If you go out, maintain strict social distancing, wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face.
You should also try to stay 2m (6ft) away from other people within your household, especially if they display symptoms of the virus or have been advised to self-isolate.
Do I have to do it?
Shielding was never compulsory and it is still your choice to decide what you are comfortable about doing. Everyone in England is expected to follow the lockdown rules.
If possible, take things at your own pace and talk through any worries you have.
What if I’ve already had the vaccine?
People on the list are still advised to shield even if they have had two doses of the vaccine. No vaccine is 100% protective and immunisation will not stop all spread of the virus. Social distancing measures are advised for everyone.
People on the shielding list who have not yet been offered a vaccine – around 820,000 adults – will be offered an appointment soon to get immunised.
Can I meet with people that I don’t live with?
The only people able to visit you at home are those in your support bubble – such as a relative or other person who helps with your care needs.
You can go out and exercise with the people you live with or someone in your bubble.
What about work?
The advice says you should not leave the house to work.
If you cannot work from home, you may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay, Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
What about shopping?
People on the shielding list are strong advised against visiting any shops, including pharmacies.
If you already have a priority delivery slot with a supermarket, that will continue.
What about children and school?
Guidance from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health says that most youngsters with conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and kidney disease do not need to be on the shielding list held by the NHS.
About 90,000 people shielding are under 18. Children will only be removed from the list by their GP or specialist doctor after discussions with the child and their family.
If you have been told that your child no longer needs to shield, they can go to school, college or nursery.
Children who live with someone who is clinically vulnerable, but aren’t themselves, should go to school.
What are the recommendations around the rest of the UK?
Each of the four UK nations have decided who should be on its shielding list.
Shielding guidance is due to end on 1 April in Wales, where more than 130,000 people are staying at home.
In Scotland, shielding is due to end on 26 April, when adults will be able to return to work and further education and children will be able to go back to school.
