More than two million people shielding from coronavirus in England will be able to spend more time outside their home from next month. Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed plans for the extremely clinically vulnerable - many of whom have not left their homes in three months - to begin easing their lockdown. From Monday, 6 July, those shielding from coronavirus can gather in groups of up to six people outdoors and form a ‘support bubble’ with another household. Shielding will then be completely paused from August 1. It means people with serious underlying health conditions including respiratory diseases, some cancers and transplant patients will follow roughly the same rules as the rest of the public. But the plans prompted alarm because they mean some of the current support for shielded people will be withdrawn from August. NHS Volunteer Responders will still be able to help with collecting shopping or medication, a regular friendly phone call, or transport to appointments. Shielded people will also retain their priority for supermarket delivery slots. But the government's direct food parcel and medicine deliveries will end. Matt Hancock confirmed they “continue to the end of July”. And shielding people will no longer be paid Statutory Sick Pay from August 1, unless they develop symptoms or are told to isolate. Mr Hancock also stopped short of guaranteeing legal protections for shielding people who are too frightened to go back to work. Instead he told employers: "We expect you to do the right thing." Nick Moberly, Chief Executive of the MS Society, warned: “We are gravely concerned that certain key support measures – such as food packages and Statutory Sick Pay – will be taken away prematurely. "Without this help, and with many people still terrified of infection, for some the idea of normal life returning will feel more like a threat than an opportunity." Boris Johnson and his top Cabinet colleagues and scientists are meeting to discuss the next steps to get the country back to normal as infection rates continue to fall. The Prime Minister is expected to start reopening the hospitality sector and loosening the two-metre social-distancing rule in England from July 4 to help restart the economy. He will outline the plans to Parliament for pubs, restaurants, hotels and hairdressers on Tuesday. From 1 August, extremely clinically vulnerable people will no longer be advised to shield. While they should still follow strict social distancing measures, they’ll be allowed to go to the shops and visit places of worship. But the Department of Health and Social Care said support would still be available from NHS volunteers and local councils. And people who were shielding will still keep their priority supermarket delivery slots. Matt Hancock said: “I want to thank all those who have been shielding for so many weeks for their commitment to the shielding programme. “I know this has been incredibly tough. Shielding has involv
Coronavirus shielding to end for 2 million people as 'bubbles' allowed from July
More than two million people shielding from coronavirus in England will be able to spend more time outside their home from next month. Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed plans for the extremely clinically vulnerable - many of whom have not left their homes in three months - to begin easing their lockdown. From Monday, 6 July, those shielding from coronavirus can gather in groups of up to six people outdoors and form a ‘support bubble’ with another household. Shielding will then be completely paused from August 1. It means people with serious underlying health conditions including respiratory diseases, some cancers and transplant patients will follow roughly the same rules as the rest of the public. But the plans prompted alarm because they mean some of the current support for shielded people will be withdrawn from August. NHS Volunteer Responders will still be able to help with collecting shopping or medication, a regular friendly phone call, or transport to appointments. Shielded people will also retain their priority for supermarket delivery slots. But the government's direct food parcel and medicine deliveries will end. Matt Hancock confirmed they “continue to the end of July”. And shielding people will no longer be paid Statutory Sick Pay from August 1, unless they develop symptoms or are told to isolate. Mr Hancock also stopped short of guaranteeing legal protections for shielding people who are too frightened to go back to work. Instead he told employers: "We expect you to do the right thing." Nick Moberly, Chief Executive of the MS Society, warned: “We are gravely concerned that certain key support measures – such as food packages and Statutory Sick Pay – will be taken away prematurely. "Without this help, and with many people still terrified of infection, for some the idea of normal life returning will feel more like a threat than an opportunity." Boris Johnson and his top Cabinet colleagues and scientists are meeting to discuss the next steps to get the country back to normal as infection rates continue to fall. The Prime Minister is expected to start reopening the hospitality sector and loosening the two-metre social-distancing rule in England from July 4 to help restart the economy. He will outline the plans to Parliament for pubs, restaurants, hotels and hairdressers on Tuesday. From 1 August, extremely clinically vulnerable people will no longer be advised to shield. While they should still follow strict social distancing measures, they’ll be allowed to go to the shops and visit places of worship. But the Department of Health and Social Care said support would still be available from NHS volunteers and local councils. And people who were shielding will still keep their priority supermarket delivery slots. Matt Hancock said: “I want to thank all those who have been shielding for so many weeks for their commitment to the shielding programme. “I know this has been incredibly tough. Shielding has involv
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