COVID-19: Clinically vulnerable and clinically extremely vulnerable
Clinically vulnerable
If you are over 60 or clinically vulnerable, you could be at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus so you should be especially careful to follow the rules and minimise your contacts with others.
If you follow these rules and maintain social distance, you can continue to visit shops and go to work if you are unable to work from home.
Clinically extremely vulnerable
A further group, the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) individuals who were advised to shield during the first national lockdown are advised to reduce social contact and try to arrange for friends and family to pick up supplies for them where possible.
Attending NHS appointments, exercise outdoors and meeting outside with the individual’s support bubble is allowed. Those living with CEV individuals, such as children, are expected to continue to attend school, visit shops etc as per the wider national guidance.
Those who cannot work at home will have access to Statutory Sick Pay and the furlough scheme if they are eligible, and community pharmacists will be funded to supply medicines.
Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 can be found on GOV.UK – Shielding .
Shopping and food deliveries
For information and support on shopping, priority food deliveries, vouchers and payment options go to Shopping and food deliveries.
Test and trace support payment
The test and trace support payment scheme is available to help those on low incomes to self-isolate. It is available until 31 January 2021.
Find out more on Test and trace support payment.