Shielding during the lockdown

New guidance has been issued for individuals who are clinically extremely vulnerable, including those who may have been advised to shield in the past.

Shielding guidance was paused on 1 August 2020 and the Government subsequently updated their guidance for those who are clinically extremely vulnerable to take into account local COVID alert levels.

As we enter a further national lockdown today, the guidance has again been updated. Under the new guidance, individuals who are clinically extremely vulnerable are strongly advised to work from home. If they cannot work from home, they guidance states that they should not attend work during the lockdown period.

Where clinically extremely vulnerable individuals cannot work from home, the guidance states that they may be eligible for statutory sick pay, or they may be eligible to be furloughed following the extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) as long as they were on the payroll before 30 October 2020.

These new measures will apply nationally for 4 weeks up to 2 December. At the end of the period, the Government will look to return to a regional approach and will issue further guidance at the time.

The definition of those who are identified as clinically extremely vulnerable is set out in the guidance. It includes those who have one or more of the conditions listed, or those whose hospital clinician or GP has added them to the shielded patients list because, based on their clinical judgement, they deem the individual to be at higher risk of serious illness if they catch the virus. Formal notification letters will again be issued to those affected.

Comment

This guidance applies to clinically extremely vulnerable individuals only. Others living in a household with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable are not advised to follow this guidance. They should instead follow the new general National Restrictions guidance, which states that everyone who can work effectively from home must do so. Where people cannot work from home, they should continue to travel to their workplace.

05 November 2020

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