Coronavirus
Shielding information
Around 2.2 million people with severe health conditions have been following shielding guidance from the Government.
Services update
The Government has relaxed its advice to those shielding in two stages.
Stage 1
From Monday 6 July, those shielding can spend time outdoors in a group of up to six people (including people outside of their household). This can be in a public outdoor space, or in a private garden or uncovered yard or terrace.
However, extra care should be taken to minimise contact with others by maintaining social distancing.
All those in a support bubble can spend time together inside each other’s homes, including overnight.
Stage 2
From Saturday 1 August, advice to those shielding will be relaxed further.
After July, the Government will continue to review the risks for extremely vulnerable people, as they review social distancing advice for the general population.
Support from the Government’s National Shielding Service for free food parcels, medicine deliveries and care will stop.
General advice to anyone who has been shielding remains the same:
- Stay at home as much as possible and take precautions when you do go out.
- Wash your hands regularly
- Avoiding touching your face
- Keep 2 metres away from people outside of your household or bubble wherever possible.
NHS Volunteer Responders
NHS Volunteer Responders will continue to offer support to those who need it, including collecting and delivering food and medicines.
Support
We have been working with the Essex Wellbeing Service (previously known as Essex Welfare Service) and Voluntary Action Epping Forest to support residents with food packages, medicine collection and a friendly chat during lockdown.
Essential supplies
There are many ways for those who are shielding to get access to food and other essentials. Make use of the supermarket priority delivery slots that are available.
You can register online as needing support with food, your data is shared with supermarkets. This means if you make an online order with a supermarket (as both a new and existing customer), you will be eligible for a priority slot.
Health care
Any essential carers or visitors who support you with your everyday needs can still visit you unless they have any of the symptoms of COVID-19 (a new continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell).
- Click here to see more information on our Coronavirus Health advice page
- Visit NHS Health at Home for more information
Mental health support
It is normal during uncertain and unusual times to feel anxious or low. The Every Mind Matters website provides information and help on how to look after your mental health.
If you feel you need to talk to someone about your mental health or you are looking for more support for someone else, speak to a GP and seek out support delivered by charities or the NHS.
- Click here to see more information on our Coronavirus Health advice page
- For more information visit the GOV.uk mental health and wellbeing website
Income and employment support
People who are shielding have been advised not to go to work. Those shielding are eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) until the 31 July. SSP eligibility criteria apply.
From 1 August, if extremely vulnerable people are unable to work from home but need to work, they can, as long as the business is COVID safe. The Government is asking employers to work with them to ease the transition back to a more normal way of life for their shielding employees.
Support available after July
NHS volunteer responders will continue to offer support to those who need it and be able to collect and deliver food and medicines.
The Government is committed to supporting local councils and voluntary sector organisations that respond to those who have specific support needs during the Covid-19 pandemic.