News

Criticism Of Government’s Late Guidance On ‘Shielding’

Written by HFM News on 5th November 2020

Charities supporting the clinically vulnerable have accused the Government of causing “untold amounts of stress”, after new guidance on shielding was published just hours before the start of the new lockdown.

The guidance states people in that category are strongly advised to stay at home at all times, unless they are going out for exercise or a doctor’s appointment.

Harborough District councillor Barbara Johnson told Hfm the government needs to do more to get the important the message out:

The updated guidance, which clinically extremely vulnerable individuals are strongly urged to follow, includes:

Socialising: stay at home as much as possible, except to go outdoors to exercise or attend health appointments. People can exercise with those they live with or in their support bubble.
Work: If people cannot work from home, they should not attend work. They may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay, Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme during this period of national measures. People in the same household who are not clinically extremely vulnerable can still attend work, in line with the new national restrictions
School: as evidence has shown there is a very low risk of children becoming very unwell from Covid-19, most children originally on the shielded patient list no longer need to be and therefore can still attend school. If they are unsure, parents should contact their child’s usual GP or hospital clinician to check whether they should still be considered clinically extremely vulnerable. If a GP or clinician has advised that a child should remain on the shielded patient list, they are advised not to attend school. Children who live with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable, but aren’t themselves, should still attend school.
Going outside: Avoid all non-essential travel – they should continue to travel to hospital and GP appointments unless told otherwise by their doctor. They are strongly advised not to go to any shops or to pharmacies.