Shielders left concerned as coronavirus lockdown is eased
Video report by ITV News Health Editor Emily Morgan
Many vulnerable people in England who have been shielding during the coronavirus lockdown are concerned about the easing of restrictions for them.
From Monday, those who have been required to have no contact with people outside of their household are no longer required to shield.
Those who are classed as clinically vulnerable can meet outdoors in groups of up to six, and those who live alone or are single parent households can create a "support bubble" with another household.
However, many who have spent the last three months inside have concerns about the lifting of restrictions.
Sarah Myers, who has blood cancer, said: “I have spoken to my consultant who says I am still vulnerable and I am still shielding.
"I have barely left the house in 14 weeks and latterly I feel pretty disheartened by some of the advice that’s come out about relaxing shielding."
Some individuals have been advised by their own GPs not to stop shielding.
“What I have told my patients it that you need to continue to practice social distancing," Dr Sumi Mukherjee told ITV News.
"You can have your social bubble but continue social distancing.
"At this stage we are not confident that we are completely safe.
"They just need to catch it, that’s it. Once they’ve caught it, we can’t go backwards."
From August 1, support for those shielding in England will end and many have concerns about having to return to the workplace.
All places of work will need to prove that they are Covid-secure, but many who have been shielding are still fearful.
Those with concerns are encouraged to discuss the matter with employers to come to a mutually agreeable settlement.
If it is possible, a vulnerable person should be permitted to continue working from home after the end of July.
People can ask their GP to write a letter of support to send to their employers if they fear a return to their workplace will have a negative impact on their health but it is not within a doctor's remit to sign a person off sick.
Slater and Gordon employment lawyer Danielle Parsons told ITV News: “If your workplace is re-opening and you cannot work from home, then your employer should be discussing this with you and telling you how this will work, and what steps it is going to take to keep you safe at work.
"Your employer needs to carry out a Covid risk assessment and it should get your input on this, and provide you with a safe system of work.
"If your employer doesn’t do this then you have certain rights at law, for example, you have the right not to be dismissed if you complain about or refuse to work in unsafe working conditions, and if you can show a tribunal that the main or only reason you were dismissed was for taking action over a health and safety issue, your dismissal will be automatically unfair and you don’t need any particular length of service for this type of claim.
“As an employee you must comply with a reasonable management request.
"If your employer is asking you to work somewhere that is unsafe, or if you have other issues which mean that you cannot return to work then this might not be a reasonable management request.
“If you are afraid to return to work, and you feel that your employer is trying to force you to return to work when you don’t feel safe then in the first instance, I would suggest you discuss your concerns with your employer, and try to find a way forward, but seek legal advice urgently if you can’t, as you must act on any potential employment tribunal claim within three months.”
Additionally, the vast majority of children will no longer need to shield from the end of this month, England’s deputy chief medical officer has said.
Dr Jenny Harries has backed guidance from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) which says that most youngsters with conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and kidney disease do not need to continue to shield and could, for example, go back to school.
The government has now said the majority of children in England who are currently considered extremely clinical vulnerable to Covid-19 will be able to be removed from the shielded patient list over the summer.
It said youngsters will only be removed from the list by their GP or specialist doctor following consultation with the child and their family.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate advice for those who are shielding.
The categorisation of "clinically extremely vulnerable" will remain in place and people in this cohort should continue to follow the guidance specific to them, available here.