< News

22.06.2020 / News / Covid-19

UPDATE: Shielding to end in England on the 1st of August

Today the government announced that the most vulnerable members of the population will be able to end the practice of shielding from the 6th of July.

This means that those who were previously advised to self-isolate for a period of 12 weeks will now be able to socialise with up to 6 people outside their household provided they meet outdoors and maintain social distancing.

Those who live alone or are single parents will be allowed to form what the government has called a “support bubble” with another household of any size.

The government has also announced that from the 1st of August the support package for those classified as “clinically extremely vulnerable persons” will be delivered by Local Authority or voluntary NHS support.

In reality this means those persons who were receiving food parcels from the government no longer will do. However, the has stated that the extremely vulnerable will continue to retain their priority for supermarket delivery slots and will be able to access help with shopping, medication, phone calls and transport via Local Authorities and voluntary NHS support.

It was also announced that from the 1st of August the clinically vulnerable will be able to return to work if they cannot work from home and their workplace has been defined as “Covid secure”.

Finally, the ending of shielding on the 1st of August also means that those who are in employment but who were shielding will no longer be able to claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).

Notes:

The latest government announcement can be accessed in full here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plans-to-ease-guidance-for-over-2-million-shielding

SHARE