Those shielding from coronavirus in England will be allowed to meet other people outdoors in groups of up to six from July 6, the health secretary has announced.
Shielders who live alone or are single parents with children will also be able to create a “support bubble” with one other household of any size – the same rule is already in place for the wider population.
The government’s shielding support package – which delivers food and medicine – will remain in place during this period to give people “time to adjust” to the changes.
England’s 2.2 million shielders – those considered “clinically extremely vulnerable” to Covid-19 – must follow this guidance until the end of July, after which people will no longer be asked to shield.
From August 1 the advice will be relaxed but shielders 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”.
Support will also remain available from NHS volunteers and local councils.
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