Shielded people feel ‘left behind’ by latest warning

High-risk people who have spent more than two months shielding from coronavirus say they feel “left behind and forgotten about”, after being told their isolation may continue for “several more months”.

Charities supporting the two million-plus people currently shielding from Covid-19 said Boris Johnson’s announcement that lockdown measures would be relaxed for the rest of the population have made the most vulnerable “deeply concerned” about the impact an extended period at home will have on their mental and physical health.

The prime minister was unable to give a timeframe on when lockdown measures for vulnerable people would be lifted and they were dealt a further blow yesterday when Environment Secretary George Eustice warned those shielding from coronavirus may have to continue to do so “for several more months”.

Nearly 50 charity bosses have written an open letter to the government calling for the urgent need to publish clear, consistent advice on shielding measures to ensure such people protect themselves and can access support as lockdown eases.

Steven McIntosh, Macmillan Cancer Support policy director, said the latest announcement was “incredibly bleak and distressing” for those in the high-risk category.

He told the PA news agency: “Macmillan is hearing from people who feel left behind and forgotten, who got a letter at the start of March telling them to stay in total lockdown, not to leave the house, not to see anyone, to protect themselves.”

He added some people with more serious illnesses were concerned they were watching their final days disappear without seeing their loved ones.

He continued: “Many of them feel that they are seeing the days of their lives ticking away without any certainty as to when they are going to be able to see their loved ones, leave their house, or live their lives to the fullest.”

The open letter, sent to the Cabinet Office yesterday, calls for clear guidance from the government on what to do when the current 12week lockdown period for the most vulnerable ends, with a strategy in place to protect them from the virus both mentally and physically when they are allowed to leave their homes.”