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 22 January 2021 — 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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Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (large print)

PDF, 117KB, 14 pages

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

PDF, 220KB, 8 pages

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

PDF, 222KB, 11 pages

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

PDF, 210KB, 10 pages

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

PDF, 261KB, 7 pages

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

PDF, 283KB, 7 pages

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

PDF, 193KB, 10 pages

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

PDF, 197KB, 12 pages

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

PDF, 236KB, 9 pages

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

PDF, 242KB, 9 pages

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

PDF, 246KB, 9 pages

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

PDF, 218KB, 9 pages

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

PDF, 174KB, 8 pages

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

PDF, 224KB, 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).

The government is sending COVID-19: letters to clinically extremely vulnerable people. This letter is to let you know about the new guidance that will be in place for clinically extremely vulnerable people.

Translations and easy-read version are being updated.

Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable - British Sign Language

Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable - BSL

Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable - audio

Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable - audio

Published 21 March 2020
Last updated 22 January 2021 + show all updates

1. 22 January 2021

   Added Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Nepali, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi and Urdu translations.

2. 13 January 2021

   Added British Sign Language and audio versions.

3. 11 January 2021

   Added large print version.

4. 7 January 2021

   Updated guidance for the period of national lockdown.

5. 31 December 2020

   Removed advice on Christmas.

6. 24 December 2020

   Updated easy-read guidance. Temporarily removed translations, British Sign Language videos, audio and large print versions.

7. 23 December 2020

   Updated to clarify rules in Tier 4 on socialising outdoors.

8. 20 December 2020

   Added new shielding advice for the clinically extremely vulnerable in Tier 4.

9. 14 December 2020

   Added the easy-read version.

10. 9 December 2020

    Added British Sign Language videos, large print, audio and translated versions.

11. 2 December 2020

    Updated guidance with information on local restrictions from 2 December. Removed easy-read and translated versions.

12. 26 November 2020

    Added 2 December guidance.

13. 18 November 2020

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

14. 13 November 2020

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

15. 11 November 2020

    Added updated easy-read guidance.

16. 10 November 2020

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

17. 4 November 2020

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

18. 4 November 2020

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

19. 28 October 2020

    Added updated easy-read guidance.

20. 15 October 2020

    Added search by postcode link.

21. 13 October 2020

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

22. 29 September 2020

    Remove reference to falling case rates.

23. 4 September 2020

    Updated translated versions.

24. 18 August 2020

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

25. 13 August 2020

    Updated translations and added Bulgarian, Hindi and Nepali.

26. 13 August 2020

    Added new version of easy-read guidance.

27. 10 August 2020

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

28. 4 August 2020

    Removed out-of-date guidance for young people.

29. 31 July 2020

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

30. 14 July 2020

    Added updated translations.

31. 10 July 2020

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

32. 8 July 2020

    Added link to local lockdowns guidance.

33. 7 July 2020

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

34. 6 July 2020

    Updated guidance with changes that apply from 6 July 2020.

35. 3 July 2020

    Updated guidance on shielding and social distancing.

36. 3 July 2020

    Easy-read guidance added.

37. 23 June 2020

    Updated guidance.

38. 5 June 2020

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

39. 31 May 2020

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

40. 29 May 2020

    Updated guidance.

41. 18 May 2020

    Updated information on symptoms.

42. 5 May 2020

    Added translated guidance.

43. 17 April 2020

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

44. 30 March 2020

    Added translated guidance.

45. 24 March 2020

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

46. 21 March 2020

    First published.