Guidance

COVID-19: guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable

Information for shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19.

Published 21 March 2020
Last updated 26 November 2020 — see all updates
From:
Public Health England and Department of Health and Social Care
Applies to:
England (see publications for Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland)

Documents

Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19

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2 December guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19

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Guidance on protecting people most likely to get very poorly from coronavirus (easy-read version)

PDF, 1.55MB, 14 pages

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Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (Arabic)

PDF, 569KB, 8 pages

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Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (Bengali)

PDF, 488KB, 10 pages

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Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (Bulgarian)

PDF, 233KB, 10 pages

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Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (Simplified Chinese)

PDF, 230KB, 7 pages

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Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (Traditional Chinese)

PDF, 245KB, 7 pages

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Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (French)

PDF, 260KB, 10 pages

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Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (Gujarati)

PDF, 370KB, 9 pages

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Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (Hindi)

PDF, 585KB, 9 pages

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Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (Nepali)

PDF, 513KB, 9 pages

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Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (Polish)

PDF, 451KB, 9 pages

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Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (Portuguese)

PDF, 362KB, 9 pages

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Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (Punjabi)

PDF, 163KB, 10 pages

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Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (Urdu)

PDF, 509KB, 9 pages

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Details

This guidance is for clinically extremely vulnerable people, with additional information to help protect you from coronavirus (COVID-19). Everyone in England, including those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, is required to follow the new national restrictions from 5 November.

If you or your child has been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable, you will receive a letter from the government addressed personally to you. Your letter is a formal shielding notification, which you can use as evidence for your employer or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that you are advised to follow shielding guidance and should not work outside of your home for the period stated.

Until you receive your personal letter, you can use COVID-19: letters to clinically extremely vulnerable people for reference. They do not act as a formal notification.

The easy-read and translated versions refer to the current guidance and will be updated after the new regulations come into effect on 2 December.

Published 21 March 2020
Last updated 26 November 2020 + show all updates

  1. Added 2 December guidance.

  2. Added updated translations in Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Nepali, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi and Urdu.

  3. Removed reference letters and included link to COVID-19: letters to clinically extremely vulnerable people.

  4. Added updated easy-read guidance.

  5. Updated information on the extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (on furlough).

  6. Added 2 reference letters and updated guidance on how to get a test for COVID-19.

  7. Updated guidance in line with national restrictions commencing 5 November 2020. Easy-read guidance temporarily removed and will be updated shortly.

  8. Added updated easy-read guidance.

  9. Added search by postcode link.

  10. Guidance updated regarding local COVID alert levels. Temporarily removed translations, easy-read guide and guidance for young people.

  11. Remove reference to falling case rates.

  12. Updated translated versions.

  13. Added new guidance for young people who are clinically extremely vulnerable and have been shielding.

  14. Updated translations and added Bulgarian, Hindi and Nepali.

  15. Added new version of easy-read guidance.

  16. Added paragraph clarifying the position for travelling to work in local lockdown areas.

  17. Removed out-of-date guidance for young people.

  18. Main guidance updated to include information related to the pausing of shielding.

  19. Added updated translations.

  20. Updated local guidance link to point to Leicester City Council page.

  21. Added link to local lockdowns guidance.

  22. Updated guidance to include clinical risk to children and young people. These changes apply from 6 July 2020.

  23. Updated guidance with changes that apply from 6 July 2020.

  24. Updated guidance on shielding and social distancing.

  25. Easy-read guidance added.

  26. Updated guidance.

  27. Updated guidance for young people to reflect that those who are shielding can now leave their homes.

  28. Updated guidance in line with changes to the regulations which come into force on 1 June 2020.

  29. Updated guidance.

  30. Updated information on symptoms.

  31. Added translated guidance.

  32. Updated 'Shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19'.

  33. Added translated guidance.

  34. Added Coronavirus (COVID-19): an easy-read guide on protecting extremely vulnerable people.

  35. First published.

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