Shielding for the extremely vulnerable
What is 'shielding'?
If you fall within one of the groups recommended to shield, you will have received a letter or text from the NHS.
Shielding is a measure to protect extremely vulnerable people by minimising contact between those who are extremely vulnerable and others. This means that those who are extremely vulnerable should not leave their homes and should minimise all non-essential contact with other members of their household. This is to protect those who are at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19).
This group is advised to keep shielding until at least 31 July 2020. However, since June the Scottish Government has published gradual changes to the advice for people who are asked shield. The most recent guidance that from 10 July:
- Those shielding will no longer need to physically distance themselves from people they live with.
- They can meet up outdoors in groups of up to eight people from two other households in a single day, if hygiene and physical distancing advice is followed.
- People who live alone, or who live only with children under 18 can form a ‘extended household group’ with one other household – this means that the shielding group can visit one other household indoors and stay overnight without physical distancing.
- They will be able to travel further than 5 miles from their house, book places to stay, such as self-catering accommodation without shared facilities, and use toilets in other people’s houses if they are meeting them outdoors.
You can read the latest Scottish Government guidance on shielding by reading the changes to shielding advice. Further advice will be issued before the end of July.
People who are asked to shield until at least the end of July will continue to be supported by the Scottish Government and local Councils through weekly food boxes, priority access to supermarket delivery slots, prescription deliveries and advice on financial support.
If you require support when you are shielding, please contact us.