Elderly still shielding ‘out of fear’

ATHIRD of older people are still shielding despite official rules ending in March, according to a survey.

The research conducted by Silver Voices found 33 per cent of respondents in England, all over the age of 60, are keeping social contact to a minimum.

Shielding was introduced at the beginning of the pandemic to support those considered most at risk of serious illness but ended on March 31.

The survey found only 19 per cent of those over 60 have returned to all their pre-pandemic activities, and 48 per cent have returned to some but not all.

In rating the Government’s handling of the pandemic, only 17 per cent think the performance has been excellent or good, and 55 per cent think it has been poor or appalling. Respondents living in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales had a more positive view of the devolved governments, with 37 per cent saying the performance was excellent or good, and 33 per cent saying it was appalling.

Dennis Reed, director of Silvervoices, said: “I was surprised by the extent of

‘There has been no reassurance’

people who said they were still keeping social mixing to a minimum.

“This is caused by a mixture of reasons. One is the fear of getting

Covid, as the impact on older people has been quite extreme.the other is a lack of confidence in our Government’s measures compared to other countries.”

The research showed 84 per cent support the use of face masks inside.

Support for a vaccination certificate for entry to indoor venues is also strong, with 73 per cent in favour.

Some 83 per cent support mandatory vaccinations for health and social care staff in direct contact with patients.

Mr Reed added: “The Government hasn’t done anything at all, there has been no reassurance for older people, and when you see pictures of the Prime Minister flagrantly not wearing a mask in a hospital setting, it sends completely the wrong message.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “We announced an end to the shielding programme based on the success of the vaccination programme and the emergence of proven treatments.

“We have followed the JCVI advice to offer third top-up jabs to those with severely weakened immune systems and would encourage those who remain at higher risk to discuss precautions with

their specialist.”