People shielding in England can soon meet family and friends
PEOPLE WHO have been shielding in England are soon to be allowed to meet family and friends in groups, the Health Secretary has confirmed, as long as social distancing is maintained.
Matt Hancock, acknowledging the “burden” on some 2.2m people, said shielding will be “paused” at the start of August, as will food and support packages.
And from July 6, those in the most vulnerable category will be able to meet with others in groups of up to six people, outdoors.
“I know this has been incredibly tough,” said Mr Hancock. “We knew it was a difficult ask, but these measures have been vital in saving lives. Now, with infection rates continuing to fall in our communities, our medical experts have advised that we can now ease some of these measures, while keeping people safe.”
The latest figures show 15 deaths were recorded on Sunday, with one in Yorkshire. For the first time since the peak of the crisis, there are now fewer than 5,000 people in hospital with the coronavirus, and the number of positive cases is under 1,000.
The virus, said Mr Hancock, is “in retreat” as numbers fall, and it is estimated that fewer than one in 1,700 people in the community have coronavirus, down from around one in 500 a month ago.
The new guidance says people who are shielding and live alone, or are single parents with children, will also be able to create a “support bubble”. Those who need to work and cannot do so from home will also be able to return to work, as long as their workplace is Covid-secure.
Deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries also suggested far fewer children than previously thought should be in the shielded category, and said it was “absolutely” possible for most to return to school in September.
“It’s very likely that in the future, very few children will have to shield,” she said. “Those children are at very low risk from Covid, they are at a very significant risk of being left behind in their education.”
The Department of Health said those who have shielded should still continue to remain at home when possible, wash their hands and limit contact with too many other people.