Calls for shielding to be extended for local residents

As the government has relaxed its shielding advice, there have been calls for the protective measure be extended to areas like Greater Manchester which are under new restrictions.

Shielding - the official advice for clinically extremely vulnerable children and adults to take extra precautions during the peak of Covid-19 pandemic - was suspended by the government on Saturday 1 August, except for certain areas currently subject to extra restrictions: Leicester, Blackburn with Darwen, Luton, and Oadby and Wigston.

Areas of the north where restrictions on households mixing – like the Rochdale borough – are not included, but Oldham residents have been asked to shield until 14 August due to rising cases.

The government’s current advice says people do not need to shield at the moment, as rates of Covid-19 transmission have fallen significantly. As a result, government support has also ended.

A joint statement between the Greater Manchester Metro Mayor Andy Burnham, Deputy Mayor Bev Hughes and the leaders of all 10 Greater Manchester councils has called for the government to extend the shielding policy: “We believe this will cause considerable uncertainty and risks sending mixed messages to those shielding in Greater Manchester.

“We therefore call on the Government to extend the shielding arrangements in the areas that are subject to intervention until these restrictions are lifted.

“Our councils will need additional financial support to help us deliver that additional support.”

The government says people should still adhere to strict social distancing, including keeping a two-metre distance from other people outside your home where possible, as well as limiting the number of people you meet, shops visited and non-essential journeys.

Children will only be removed from the shielding list by their GP or a specialist doctor after discussions with the family. If you have been told your child no longer needs to shield, they can return to nursery, school or college.

If additional public health measures require you to resume shielding, the government will write to you and advise you to stay at home and shield.

You could be advised to shield again if the situation changes and there is an increase in the transmission of Covid-19 in the community.

Your name will be kept securely on the shielded patient list by NHS Digital, and you will be written to if the advice changes.

If you have been shielding, you won’t continue to receive food boxes and medicine deliveries from the National Shielding Service.

If you were signed up for priority supermarket delivery slots, you will retain this and still be able to access help with shopping, medication, phone calls and transport to medical appointments.

NHS Volunteer Responders will offer support until at least December 2020 with:

• collecting shopping, medication (if your friends and family cannot collect them for you) or other essential supplies
• a regular, friendly phone call, either with someone else who has previously been advised to shield or with different volunteers
• transport to medical appointments

Call 0808 196 3646 between 8am and 8pm to arrange support or visit the NHS Volunteer Responders website at:

• nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk/services

Speak to your health care professional to arrange transport support.

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Are you a clinically extremely vulnerable person who has been shielding throughout the pandemic?

If so, we’d like to hear your experiences and thoughts about the new government advice:

• news@rochdaleonline.co.uk