Is the shielding programme ending?

Unless, a significant rise in cases is seen, the shielding programme is expected to be paused on 31 July

The Government has today issue guidance regarding people who are currently shielding. This addresses the issue of returning to work and key points have been summarised below.

Key Points

From 1 August 2020 the Government will be advising that shielding will be paused. From this date, the Government is advising that people who have been advised to shield to adopt strict social distancing rather than full shielding measures. Strict social distancing means people can choose to go out to more places and see more people but they should take particular care to minimise contact with others outside their household or support bubble. In practice this means that from 1 August, people previously advised to shield can:

• Go to work, if they cannot work from home, as long as the business is ‘Covid-safe’
  
• Go outside to buy food, to places of worship and for exercise but should maintain strict social distancing.

People previously advised to shield need to remain cautious as they are still at risk of severe illness if they catch coronavirus, so the advice is to stay at home where possible and, if going out, to follow strict social distancing measures.

Please note that the guidance for the clinically extremely vulnerable group remains advisory.

If you require any assistance planning for the return of shielding employees (who cannot work from home) and with the completion of a personal risk assessment (so that expectations of employees and employers in relation to Covid-19 secure arrangements are clear and agreed), please get in contact.

For more information about how to re-open your workplace safely, please click here.

Contact Details

For more information about this topic or health promotion events, sickness absence management, health assessments and bespoke training packages, please contact us for a no obligations conversation on 0844 481 0093 or enquiries@lincolnoccupationalhealth.co.uk where our team will be happy to help.