More freedom for people shielding in Staffordshire and Cheshire
The Government's shielding restrictions have now been lifted
Last updated 1st Apr 2021
Today is the first day for more than 3.7 million vulnerable people in England and Wales can leave their homes and join in with the easing of lockdown restrictions.
Anyone who has had to shield will be able to follow national restrictions, but are still advised to take extra precautions to keep themselves safe from COVID-19.
Chelsey Ball from Stoke-on-Trent received a letter recommending she shield throughout the pandemic, but will now be allowed outside.
She says: "It has been a long time coming. I'm looking forward to socialising with friends outside especially given the glorious weather the last couple of days, and knowing that it is a little bit less of a risk now given the statistics.
"Though, I'm not raring to go as such... as it's a strange one because we're still limited to what we can actually do.
"It feels almost like the government have decided that the risk will be lower overnight so I think it is still nerve racking and it is still a little bit of an anxious time - but nonetheless some normality I think is beneficial and is needed for the greater good."
Chelsey added that it's not easy jumping straight back into society and there are still a lot of things on her mind about heading back out.
"Just knowing that you are more at risk than another person by being clinically vulnerable, you think a little bit more about what you're planning to do. You take those extra precautions, you think about if you were going to go shopping - would you go to busy time or would you go at night and avoid that kind of human contact."
When asked what she was most looking forward to.
Chelsey said: "Things have been fairly difficult and I am glad to be getting back to work mixing with my colleagues because I absolutely love my job and getting back to a little bit of normality particularly for my mental health."
"One of the first things I will definitely be doing is mixing within groups of six with my nearest and dearest who have been missing and conversations I think that's what I've missed the most."
Local authorities across Staffordshire and Cheshire have all said those coming out of shielding should follow the current rules under the government’s roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions, but they should take extra precautions to protect themselves from Covid-19.
Here are some key points for people who are no longer shielding:
- Minimise social interactions and try to reduce the amount of time spent in settings where social distancing is not possible.
- Work from home if possible but those who cannot work from home should attend their workplace.
- Employers are required to take steps to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus in the workplace and should explain measures they have put in place to keep employees safe at work.
- From today (April 1) those previously shielding will no longer be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) on the basis of being advised to shield.
- They may be eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) or Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), both of which have been extended until September 30.
- Clinically extremely vulnerable pupils and students should return to their school or other educational settings.
- All clinically extremely vulnerable adults should have had their first dose of the vaccine and are advised to take up the second dose when offered. If they have not had their first dose, they should contact their GP.
- You no longer will be advised to avoid shops or pharmacies, but practical guidance will be offered on precautionary steps you may choose to take to minimise any residual risk (e.g. shopping and travelling at quieter times of the day).
- Supermarkets have agreed to continue to offer priority access to delivery slots for CEV people already receiving them for a grace period, which currently extends to 21 June 2021.
- Health services remain available and residents with a medical need or question should contact their GP or health consultant.
The people who should have been shielding over the past 12 months include:
- Solid organ transplant recipients.
- Some people with cancer who are undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
- People on immunosuppression drugs.
- Solid organ transplant recipients.
- Women who are pregnant and have heart disease.
- People with severe respiratory conditions - cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and COPD.
- Some people with rare diseases such as severe combined immunodeficiency.
- Adults with Down's syndrome.
- Adults on dialysis or with stage 5 chronic kidney.