About 2.5 million people most at risk of needing hospital treatment if they catch coronavirus are being asked to stay at home.
From 1 August, people who have been shielding against coronavirus in most of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland no longer have to take special measures to avoid the disease.
This "shielding" is to protect lives.
When lockdown began, certain people were advised to take extra steps - or shield - to avoid contracting Covid-19, because they were considered more at risk of needing hospital treatment.
Why do it?
Shielding has now been paused everywhere in the UK except in Wales - which is expected to follow suit on 16 August - and parts of England currently subject to extra restrictions.
While everyone is being advised to keep their distance from other people to help stop the spread of coronavirus, some people with underlying health conditions need to take even more precautions to protect themselves.
Those areas are Leicester, Oadby and Wigston, Blackburn with Darwen and Luton.
The virus poses a high risk if someone who is shielding is exposed to it.
But the areas of northern England where restrictions on households mixing have been introduced are not included, because they have experienced comparatively smaller increases in cases.
Coming out of lockdown
Why is shielding ending?
The guidance on shielding is being kept under review.
Infection levels in the community are now falling, so the risk of exposure is significantly less than it has been.
Infection levels in the community are now falling so the risk of exposure is significantly less than it has been.
People will no longer have to "stay at home" and follow shielding guidelines, although they are advised to take particular care when outside, and maintain strict social distancing.
People who are shielding in England and Northern Ireland are able to spend some time outdoors, as long as they continue to follow social distancing rules. They can also gather in groups of up to six people outdoors, including individuals outside of their household, and form a "support bubble" with one other household.
Do I have to stop shielding?
People shielding in Scotland and Wales have been told they can also now spend time outdoors for exercise, either on their own, with their family or with people from another household.
For some people this will be welcome news, while others will be understandably anxious.
Single adults or single parents who are shielding will be able to bubble with any household, and households with a shielded person in it can also bubble with any single person (or single adult with children).
Shielding was never compulsory and it is still your choice to decide what you are comfortable about doing - you may still want to spend a lot of time at home, for example.
In England and Northern Ireland, the shielding advice is set to be paused from 31 July. After that date people will no longer need to shield but should take particular care when outside and strictly maintain social distancing.
If possible, take things at your own pace and talk through any worries you have.
Who should shield?
The relaxation of the rules allows those who have been shielding to see more people, enjoy the summer and be more active.
Those most at risk, who include:
Experts strongly advise people with serious underlying health conditions to follow social distancing recommendations - keep 2m away from other people outside your home and, whenever possible, limit the number of people you meet, shops you visit, and non-essential journeys.
Anyone in this highest-risk category who has not yet received a letter from the NHS or been contacted by their doctor should get in touch with their GP or hospital doctor by phone or online.
Should I go back to work?
This does not include all elderly people, although they are strongly advised to practise social distancing.
You should only go back to your workplace if it is Covid-safe, which means that your employer has taken the necessary steps and risk assessments to reduce the risk of infection for employees.
It may be possible to work from home. You can discuss this with your employer.
Could shielding come back again?
Yes. People on the shielding list may be advised to shield again if coronavirus starts to rise again across the UK.
Your individual health risk, should you catch coronavirus, has not changed, despite shielding being paused.
In Oldham, in the north of England, anyone shielding has been asked to continue to do so until 14 August. This is because of rising coronavirus cases in the area.
Who is on the shielding list?
People in high risk categories, who include:
The list does not include all elderly people, although they are strongly advised to do social distancing.
What about children?
What about children?
In England, the vast majority of children considered extremely vulnerable to Covid-19 will no longer need to shield from the end of the July.
New guidance from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health says that most youngsters with conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and kidney disease do not need to continue to shield and could be removed from the shielding list held by the NHS.
New guidance from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health says that most youngsters with conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and kidney disease do not need to continue to shield and could, for example, go back to school.
About 90,000 people shielding are under 18. Children will only be removed from the shielding list by their GP or specialist doctor after discussions with the child and their family.
Just over 90,000 people shielding are under 18. However, children will only be removed from the shielding list by their GP or specialist doctor after discussions with the child and their family.
If you have been told that your child no longer needs to shield, they can go to school, college or nursery.
Is it compulsory?
Experts strongly advise people with serious underlying health conditions to follow the advice. If this applies to you, shielding is for your personal protection - it is your choice to decide whether to follow the recommendations.
You could call your doctor to discuss this.
What does it entail?
It means staying at home and following the guidelines. You should not go out to work, to shop or visit friends in their homes.
You should avoid any face-to-face contact, so that means no visitors.
Visits from people who provide you with essential healthcare and personal support are fine. Carers and care workers should stay away if they have any of the symptoms of coronavirus, and anyone coming into your home should keep their hands clean by washing them with soap and water.
What about any people I live with?
They do not need to shield themselves but must make sure they follow recommendations to shield you.
They should also stringently follow the guidance on social distancing.
They should also keep some physical distance (2m when possible) from you and keep to a minimum the time spent in shared spaces such as the kitchen, bathroom and lounge. Shared spaces should be kept well ventilated - open a window.
If you can, use a separate bathroom and bedroom from the rest of the household, and also make sure you use separate towels.
If you share a toilet and bathroom, make sure they are cleaned after every use. Consider drawing up a rota for bathing, with you using the facilities first.
Use the kitchen when others are not in there and take your meals back to your room to eat. Coronavirus is spread through droplets (from coughs and sneezes), so do not share cutlery or crockery unless it is clean. Use a dishwasher if you have one. Soap or washing-up liquid and water gets rid of the virus too.
Keep surfaces that are frequently touched - door handles, taps and handrails - clean.
What about my medicine and food?
What about my medicine and food?
People in England can register to get essential food and medicine supplies if friends or family cannot help.
From 1 August, people will no longer receive food boxes and medicine deliveries provided by the National Shielding Service.
Similar support is available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
People will retain their priority for supermarket delivery slots, and still be able to access help with shopping, medication, phone calls and transport to medical appointments when shielding is eased.
People will retain their priority for supermarket delivery slots, and still be able to access help with shopping, medication, phone calls and transport to medical appointments when shielding is eased in England and Northern Ireland on 1 August.
The NHS Volunteer Responder Scheme will continue to offer support after shielding is paused. They can support you with:
How long will shielding last?
The ultimate ambition is to be able to control the virus enough so that people can move out of shielding. A vaccine could help enable this.
What should I do if I get a cough or fever?
What should I do if I get a cough or fever?
These are symptoms of coronavirus. It does not mean that you definitely have it, but you should contact the NHS 111 online coronavirus service, or call NHS 111 or your doctor. Do this as soon as you get symptoms. Do not visit the GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or hospital.
These are symptoms of coronavirus, as are loss of smell or taste. It does not mean that you definitely have it, but you should contact the NHS 111 online coronavirus service, or call NHS 111 or your doctor. Do this as soon as you get symptoms. Do not visit the GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or hospital.
In an emergency, call 999 if you are seriously ill.
In an emergency, call 999 if you are seriously ill.
Other tips to stay safe and well
Other tips to stay safe and well
Good hygiene can stop the virus spreading:
You could prepare a hospital bag just in case. This should include your emergency contact, a list of medicines you take and any information on your planned care appointments, as well as things you would need for an overnight stay, such as a toothbrush and pyjamas.
Keep physically active.
Look after your mental wellbeing. Stay in touch with friends on the phone, by post or online.
Prepare a hospital bag just in case. This should include your emergency contact, a list of medicines you take and any information on your planned care appointments, as well as things you would need for an overnight stay, such as a toothbrush and pyjamas.
