Charities fear Lockdown 2
VULNERABLE people in coronavirus hotspots may be asked to shield again this winter under a new “threetier” lockdown system expected to be announced by the Government on Monday.
Officials are understood to be working on a tailored scheme to decide who should be staying at home.
But charities urged the Government to communicate any plans more clearly than during the first lockdown.
Caroline Abrahams, director of Age UK, said: “Whatever the Government announces in the next few days it is really important that any advice given is clear and targeted.
“And if some of us, in some places, are advised to take extra steps to protect ourselves then the Government must make sure that the right extra support is available without any of the confusion we saw earlier.”
James Taylor, from disability equality charity Scope, said: “The previous system was bereft with grey areas and left many disabled people unsure about whether to leave the house, go to work or the shops.
“We are concerned that once again we are seeing the announcement of significant changes to the lives of disabled people without a clear plan from government.”
Sarah MacFadyen, from Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, said: “If people are going to be advised to shield again this needs to be clearly communicated and give people enough time to get prepared.”
Gemma Peters, of Blood Cancer UK, added: “Last time, the NHS did a bad job of letting people with blood cancer know they were at high risk, and some people were never told they should be shielding. It needs to do much better this time.”