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| Charities call for clarity amid confusion over end to virus shielding | |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Conflicting reports sow doubt about whether extremely vulnerable will be told to stop isolating in July | |
| Healthcare charities have called for clarity amid growing confusion over government plans to end the coronavirus shielding programme in England. | Healthcare charities have called for clarity amid growing confusion over government plans to end the coronavirus shielding programme in England. |
| The scheme affects roughly 2.2 million “clinically extremely vulnerable” people, a category which includes those who have had transplants, are having certain cancer treatments, have severe lung conditions or have immune systems are particularly vulnerable to infection. | |
| A report from the Health Service Journal (HSJ) cited sources “close to the issue” that said ministers were planning to tell this group they will no longer need to isolate at home from the end of July, when food and medicine deliveries for them would be ended. | |
| On Tuesday evening, a government spokesperson denied that a final decision had been reached. However, there was further confusion when a subsequent report in the Daily Telegraph cited unnamed government sources claiming that the shielding policy would indeed to be relaxed next month. | On Tuesday evening, a government spokesperson denied that a final decision had been reached. However, there was further confusion when a subsequent report in the Daily Telegraph cited unnamed government sources claiming that the shielding policy would indeed to be relaxed next month. |
| Caroline Abrahams, director of Age UK, said: “We know that the last change in the guidance for this group caused some confusion, as well as a degree of scepticism, so it’s beholden on the government to be very clear both in its rationale and its communications.” | Caroline Abrahams, director of Age UK, said: “We know that the last change in the guidance for this group caused some confusion, as well as a degree of scepticism, so it’s beholden on the government to be very clear both in its rationale and its communications.” |
| Gemma Peters, the chief executive of Blood Cancer UK, said: “The government needs to do a much better job than it has done so far to explain the rationale for its decisions on shielding, as well as to reassure people that it has plans for reintroducing it if the infection rate goes back up.” | Gemma Peters, the chief executive of Blood Cancer UK, said: “The government needs to do a much better job than it has done so far to explain the rationale for its decisions on shielding, as well as to reassure people that it has plans for reintroducing it if the infection rate goes back up.” |
| And Nick Moberly, the chief executive of the MS Society, said: “We urgently need clarity around the guidance – including clear scientific evidence – so people can return to some sort of normal life safely.” | And Nick Moberly, the chief executive of the MS Society, said: “We urgently need clarity around the guidance – including clear scientific evidence – so people can return to some sort of normal life safely.” |
| Each expressed a concern that the vulnerable people to whom their charities provide aid were worried about how the government’s implementation of its plans would affect their possible returns to work, as well as other issues. | Each expressed a concern that the vulnerable people to whom their charities provide aid were worried about how the government’s implementation of its plans would affect their possible returns to work, as well as other issues. |
| They spoke after the HSJ reported that ministers had decided to relax the shielding measures, including ending the provision of food packages and medicine deliveries for the extremely vulnerable. It reported, however, that this group would still retain priority for online food deliveries and ministers planned to maintain the shielding list in case people were required to isolate again in the event of future waves. | They spoke after the HSJ reported that ministers had decided to relax the shielding measures, including ending the provision of food packages and medicine deliveries for the extremely vulnerable. It reported, however, that this group would still retain priority for online food deliveries and ministers planned to maintain the shielding list in case people were required to isolate again in the event of future waves. |
| The HSJ claimed the decision to end the shielding programme had been made because levels of coronavirus in the community were sufficiently low. | The HSJ claimed the decision to end the shielding programme had been made because levels of coronavirus in the community were sufficiently low. |
| Under lockdown advice, extremely vulnerable people were initially told not to leave their home or garden at all, not even for exercise, shopping or to go to work. However, on 1 June, the rules in England were relaxed to say shielding people could leave their homes once a day for exercise and could meet one person from another household outdoors while maintaining social distancing – ideally the same person each time. | |
| Asked about the HSJ report, a government spokeswoman said: “We have always said we will be looking at making life easier for those having to shield, when it is safe to do so. | Asked about the HSJ report, a government spokeswoman said: “We have always said we will be looking at making life easier for those having to shield, when it is safe to do so. |
| “We are considering the next steps for the shielding programme beyond the end of June, based on the latest medical and scientific advice. No final decision has yet been made and we will set out more detail shortly.” | “We are considering the next steps for the shielding programme beyond the end of June, based on the latest medical and scientific advice. No final decision has yet been made and we will set out more detail shortly.” |