Decision to end shielding for 2 million at ‘high risk’ confirmed

In an official announcement, it said the programme will run to the end of July, with people then allowed back into the workplace on 1 August “as long as their workplace is covid secure”.

This also means government funded support packages – such as food parcels and medication deliveries – will end.

However, a government statement said people will retain their priority for supermarket delivery slots, and be able to access support from councils and NHS volunteers for help with shopping, medication, phone calls and transport to medical appointments. The shielding list will also be maintained so it can be revived if stricter lockdown measures come into force later in the year.

Some charities, such as Blood Cancer UK, have raised major concerns about the decision to end the programme, saying it could force many people to go back to work despite not feeling safe to do so.

But deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said: “The prevalence of the virus in the community is now lower and chances of getting infected are reduced, so we believe it is the right time to relax some of the advice so people can start to regain a degree of normality once more in their daily lives”.

She added the government “will adjust the advice” if there are changes to the rates of infection in the community.

The statement said those already shielding “should continue to remain at home as much as possible” and recognised that “individuals unable to work from home, may feel uncertain about returning to work”.

It added: “The government is asking employers to ease the transition for their clinically extremely vulnerable employees, ensuring robust measures are put in place for those currently shielding to return to work when they are able to do so.”

It provided a link to guidance for employers which was published on 11 May and does not make specific reference to those who are extremely clinical vulnerable to covid.

Fiona Loud, policy director at Kidney Care UK, said: “We need to see that patients are not exposed to unwarranted pressure from employers to return to work. It’s going to take a long time for people to rebuild confidence or return to anywhere near normal and they need a lot of clinical and emotional support from a stretched workforce.”

The government also announced that from 6 July those people who are shielding are able to “spend time outdoors in a group of up to six people including those outside of their household, while maintaining social distancing.”

It is not publishing official updated guidance until 6 July and 1 August so it can first “monitor” the impact of other changes to the lockdown across England, which may include changes to the social distancing rules and the reopening up of pubs and restaurant.

Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “These gentle relaxations will be welcomed by the over two million individuals in England whose lives have been severely restricted in recent months.”