The government has updated its shielding guidance for clinically extremely vulnerable individuals in England. These individuals will previously have received a letter from the NHS or from your GP telling you this.
Those living in a household with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable are not advised to follow this guidance. They should instead follow the general advice and regulations set out in the national lockdown guidance that came into effect on 5 January 2021.
What has changed
COVID-19 case numbers are now very high and rising rapidly across the country, driven by the new variant of COVID-19.
Everyone in England, including those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, is required to follow the new national lockdown guidance, which has been set out by the government and applies to the whole population.
These restrictions:
- Require people to stay at home, except for specific purposes
- Prevent people gathering with those they do not live with, except for specific purposes
- Close certain businesses and venues
- Support children and young people to learn remotely until February half term, except for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers who may still attend school.