After weeks stuck indoors, chance to meet loved ones for forgotten 2m
GRANDPARENTS forced to stay indoors during lockdown will be able to reunite with their grandchildren for the first time in nearly three months from today.
Ministers have eased restrictions on the “forgotten” 2.2 million people shielding now the coronavirus crisis has passed its peak.
At the daily Downing Street press briefing yesterday, the Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said the medically vulnerable had made a huge sacrifice by staying indoors.
Those considered extremely vulnerable will be able to go outside with members of their household from today.
And those who live alone can meet outside with one other person from another household.
Mr Jenrick said: “This will enable those shielding to see loved ones like children and grandchildren, something many I know are aching to do.
“Having spent many weeks indoors some will understandably be very cautious and concerned about going outdoors. You should only do what you are comfortable with.”
He added: “If the conditions become less favourable our advice to those being asked to shield will unfortunately need to be tightened.”
More than half of those shielding are under 70 and 90,000 are children.
Mr Jenrick said that 38,489 people have now died from coronavirus, an increase of 113 on the previous day.
He said the Government has assessed that the risk for the clinically vulnerable is lower now the peak of the virus has been passed.
Mr Jenrick said the changes, which only apply to England, were advisory.
The announcement drew mixed reactions from experts and campaigners.
Steven McIntosh, of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “This is a step forward for people who are most vulnerable to coronavirus, a group who have felt left behind and forgotten as lockdown eases.”
But he said they still face heavy restrictions, such as being advised to avoid food shopping, going to pharmacies or their workplaces.
He said: “The Government also hasn’t yet delivered its commitment to provide greater help to this extremely vulnerable group, and Macmillan has heard from people living with cancer that existing ‘shielding’ support isn’t getting through.”
Protected
Phil Anderson, head of policy at the MS Society, said: “We’re extremely concerned this news has come out of the blue.
“People who are extremely vulnerable will rightly want to hear a lot more about the scientific evidence showing this will be safe for them.
“If the Government is serious about supporting vulnerable people who are shielding they need more than just the ability to go outside.
“Crucially, we want to see better mental health support for everyone who needs it.”
It comes as lockdown measures are eased today, with some
young children returning to school and larger groups able to meet outside. Outdoor markets and car showrooms will reopen.
Elite athletes and professional sportsmen and women can resume competitive sport safely behind closed doors.
But social distancing restrictions remain in place and people should only gather outside.
From today, groups of up to six will be able to meet outside in England as long as they observe social distancing.
The Government also announced plans to make 6,000 new supported homes available for rough sleepers.
Dame Louise Casey, head of the Covid-19 rough sleeping taskforce, warned the pandemic was not over and the vulnerable must still be protected.
She said: “For homeless people the task was to bring as many people in off the streets and out of communal shelters.”