No shielding needed yet, despite rising Covid rate

Shielding is not being reintroduced in England, despite rising levels of coronavirus in most parts of the country.

Government advisers say that, unlike March, there are other protective measures, such as the rule of six and the use of face coverings in stores, to help reduce the spread.

But people must take precautions to avoid getting Covid.

Those who were on the protection list will receive a letter with advice on how to do this.

The Blood Cancer UK charity said the recommendations were not enough on their own, without financial and mental health support for the most vulnerable.

The advice is adapted according to the local Covid alert level in which the person lives, using the new three-level system:

Medium alert level:

• Strictly observe social distancing.
• Meet others outside when possible
• Limit unnecessary trips on public transportation
• Work from home whenever possible
• People can still go to work and children must go to school.
• The rule of six applies

High alert level:

• Reduce the number of different people you meet outdoors
• Avoid traveling except on essential trips
• Work from home whenever possible
• Reduce the number of shopping trips made or go at quieter times of the day.
• Go to work, in Covid safe workplaces, allowed if unable to work from home
• Children still have to attend school
• Restrictions not to meet other households indoors, unless part of a support bubble is applied, as the rule does in groups of no more than six outdoors

Very high alert level:

• Work from home
• Stay home as long as possible
• Avoid all but essential travel
• Cut down on shopping trips and, if possible, use online delivery or ask people in your household, support bubble, or volunteers to collect food and medicine.
• People in these areas are encouraged to keep going out to exercise, and can still go to school and work if they can’t work from home.
• Additional support must be available from local authorities.

The guard alert will not automatically activate when an area enters level three.

But it can be reintroduced in the future in critical areas in exceptional circumstances.

If that happens, people at high risk would again be advised to stay home, stay away from work or school, and limit social interactions to their own home and the bubble of support.

The goal is to strike a balance: protect health but not be too strict with measures that can affect people’s well-being.

Deputy Medical Director for England Dr Jenny Harries said: “While it is a recommendation, I urge all affected to follow the guidance whenever possible and continue to access health services for their conditions.

“We will continue to monitor the evidence closely and fine-tune this approach to ensure that everyone in this group is clear about the safest way to go about their daily lives, particularly during the coming winter months.”

Shielding also stops in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, and delegate nations are expected to take similar approaches to England.

Gemma Peters, Executive Director of Blood Cancer UK, said: “The government urgently needs to review this guide and provide financial support to people with blood cancer who are unable to work from home.

“This guide also does not offer specific mental health support. The mental health cost of the pandemic on the people they have been protecting has been great, so it is extremely disappointing that, six months later, there is no additional mental health support. for people who are vulnerable to coronavirus. “