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| Coronavirus: Lockdown easing on hold as shielding ends | Coronavirus: Lockdown easing on hold as shielding ends |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| People shielding against coronavirus can now leave their home and return to work, as a further easing of lockdown restrictions in England is postponed. | People shielding against coronavirus can now leave their home and return to work, as a further easing of lockdown restrictions in England is postponed. |
| More than two million at high risk will no longer need to isolate in most of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. | More than two million at high risk will no longer need to isolate in most of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. |
| It comes after the PM applied the brakes to easing restrictions further and as some businesses remain closed. | It comes after the PM applied the brakes to easing restrictions further and as some businesses remain closed. |
| England's chief medical officer warned the UK may have reached the limit on lifting lockdown as cases rise. | England's chief medical officer warned the UK may have reached the limit on lifting lockdown as cases rise. |
| Prof Chris Whitty said the "idea that we can open up everything and keep the virus under control" is wrong. | Prof Chris Whitty said the "idea that we can open up everything and keep the virus under control" is wrong. |
| Asked whether it was safe for England's schools to fully reopen to all pupils in the autumn, Prof Whitty said it was a "difficult balancing act" but "we have probably reached near the limit, or the limits, of what we can do in terms of opening up society". | Asked whether it was safe for England's schools to fully reopen to all pupils in the autumn, Prof Whitty said it was a "difficult balancing act" but "we have probably reached near the limit, or the limits, of what we can do in terms of opening up society". |
| Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said he supported the government's decisions on shielding and the lockdown restrictions. | |
| But he told BBC Breakfast the "way in which the [lockdown] announcement was communicated" on Thursday night "sort of dribbling out" without all the detail "has caused a degree of confusion and anxiety". | |
| Meanwhile, a new report suggests more than half of the people furloughed during the pandemic are now back at work, as companies begin contributing to the costs. | Meanwhile, a new report suggests more than half of the people furloughed during the pandemic are now back at work, as companies begin contributing to the costs. |
| When lockdown began in March, those considered extremely clinically vulnerable - an estimated 2.2 million people in England - were advised to stay at home, or shield, to avoid contracting Covid-19. | When lockdown began in March, those considered extremely clinically vulnerable - an estimated 2.2 million people in England - were advised to stay at home, or shield, to avoid contracting Covid-19. |
| People in high-risk categories include those who have had an organ transplant, are receiving immunosuppressant drugs, undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, or have severe respiratory conditions. | |
| Now, they can return to work if they cannot work from home and as long as their workplace is Covid-secure. It is still advised they maintain social distancing when outside. | Now, they can return to work if they cannot work from home and as long as their workplace is Covid-secure. It is still advised they maintain social distancing when outside. |
| From Saturday, those who were shielding in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland will no longer receive food boxes and medicine deliveries from the government. | From Saturday, those who were shielding in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland will no longer receive food boxes and medicine deliveries from the government. |
| But shielding advice remains in place for Blackburn with Darwen in the north-west of England, Leicester and Luton, and the most vulnerable will continue to shield in Wales for another two weeks. | But shielding advice remains in place for Blackburn with Darwen in the north-west of England, Leicester and Luton, and the most vulnerable will continue to shield in Wales for another two weeks. |
| 'I don't think it's safe' | |
| Norah Grant, who has chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and leads a support group for people under 60 with the condition, says the decision to end shielding was "very odd just considering everything that is happening in Manchester and all around". | |
| "I don't think I will be changing my habits," she tells BBC Radio 4's Today programme, adding that she will be able to work from home in one of her two jobs. | |
| "A lot of people in our [support] group are very nervous about going back to work," she said. | |
| Sara Swanson, who has an immune deficiency which means she can't produce antibodies, says she will also continue to shield. | |
| "I really don't think it is safe," she says. "There are a lot of people not following the rules. | |
| "So for me it is safer for me to just stay at home." | |
| She says she will only be able to work "partially" from home, so it will impact her financially. | |
| Boris Johnson on Friday announced that the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England - due to come in this weekend - would be postponed for at least a fortnight. | Boris Johnson on Friday announced that the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England - due to come in this weekend - would be postponed for at least a fortnight. |
| It means that the following will not be able to take place until 15 August, at the earliest: | It means that the following will not be able to take place until 15 August, at the earliest: |
| The rethink on easing England's lockdown follows new restrictions for people in parts of northern England, after a spike in virus cases. | The rethink on easing England's lockdown follows new restrictions for people in parts of northern England, after a spike in virus cases. |
| New lockdown rules were introduced in areas including Greater Manchester, east Lancashire, and parts of West Yorkshire. The rules include a ban on separate households meeting each other inside their homes and private gardens. | New lockdown rules were introduced in areas including Greater Manchester, east Lancashire, and parts of West Yorkshire. The rules include a ban on separate households meeting each other inside their homes and private gardens. |
| Face coverings will be mandatory in more indoor settings, such as cinemas, with the new rules being enforceable in law from 8 August. | Face coverings will be mandatory in more indoor settings, such as cinemas, with the new rules being enforceable in law from 8 August. |
| Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Friday suggest infection rates in England are rising, with around 4,200 new infections a day - compared with 3,200 a week ago. However, the level of infection is still significantly lower than it was during the peak of the pandemic. | Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Friday suggest infection rates in England are rising, with around 4,200 new infections a day - compared with 3,200 a week ago. However, the level of infection is still significantly lower than it was during the peak of the pandemic. |
| A further 120 people have died with Covid-19 in the UK according to the latest DHSC figures, bringing the total number of virus deaths to 46,119. Meanwhile, 880 new lab-confirmed cases have been recorded - the highest in more than a month. | A further 120 people have died with Covid-19 in the UK according to the latest DHSC figures, bringing the total number of virus deaths to 46,119. Meanwhile, 880 new lab-confirmed cases have been recorded - the highest in more than a month. |
| Are you getting married this weekend? Or were you reopening your business? How will the postponement affect you? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you getting married this weekend? Or were you reopening your business? How will the postponement affect you? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. |
| Or use the form below: | Or use the form below: |