Updated guidance for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19

ADVICE ON ACTION TO TAKE UNDER EACH TIER

The Government has publish updated guidance for everyone who has been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19.

The guidance:

• Replaces previous guidance

• Provides advice based on the local COVID-19 alert.

• Provides general advice that applies to all areas.

Clinically extremely vulnerable people in England will receive new guidance tailored to where they live.

ADVICE BY TIER

• For Local Covid Alert Level - MEDIUM: strictly observe social distancing, meet others outside where possible, limit unnecessary journeys on public transport and work from home where possible, but you can still go to work and children should still attend school. This is on top of restrictions for everyone to only meet in groups of up to six people.

• For Local Covid Alert Level - HIGH: reduce the number of different people met outside, avoid travel except for essential journeys, work from home where possible and reduce the number of shopping trips made or go at quieter times of the day. You can still go to work if you cannot work from home because all workplaces should be Covid secure, and children should still attend school. This is on top of restrictions for everyone to not meet other households indoors, unless part of a support bubble, and to only meet in groups of up to six people outdoors.

• For Local Covid Alert Level - VERY HIGH: work from home, in general stay at home as much as possible, and avoid all but essential travel. You should also significantly reduce shopping trips, and if possible use online delivery or ask people in your household, support bubble or volunteers to collect food and medicines. People in these areas are encouraged to still go outside for exercise, and can still go to school and to work if they cannot work from home. The Government recognise that a small number of individuals may require additional support to follow the guidance at this alert level, and they are advised to contact their local authority if they need assistance.

WHAT ABOUT SHIELDING?

Shielding advice will not automatically be triggered by an area going into Local Covid Alert Level: Very High, but will be considered as an additional intervention, agreed by ministers under advice from local public health experts and the Chief Medical Officer or Deputy Chief Medical Officer. The Government will write to people in these areas if they are advised to adopt formal shielding again.