Vulnerable in Tier 4 told to shield at home

VULNERABLE patients in Tier Four areas have been told to stay indoors in updated shielding guidelines.

The Department of Health issued guidance to those with underlying health conditions in London, the South East and East of England.

It urged people who are clinically extremely vulnerable to ‘stay at home at all times, unless for exercise or medical appointments’ and not to leave home to go to work. Those who are at very high risk include people with specific cancers and severe respiratory conditions.

Anyone who cannot work from home is being told not to attend work, while children on the shielded patient list should not attend school during term time.

They are advised to avoid all non-essential travel unless heading to hospital and GP appointments, and to avoid going into any shops and pharmacies.

The guidance states people who live with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable, but are not themselves, should still attend work and school.

The updated guidance follows the same rules that were in place during the second lockdown in England during November. Letters are being sent out to all those affected by the new rules later this week, There is no formal shielding advice for areas outside Tier Four.

A 49-year-old woman in London who has been diagnosed with the autoimmune disease lupus, who did not want to be named, said she was glad the guidance has been updated but felt she had been ‘forgotten’ over the past couple of months.

She said: ‘I know that a lot of people who were told to shield felt this way.’