'We're not ready to stop shielding' say Plymouth couple who have stayed home since March

A couple from Plymouth who are into their fourth month of shielding from coronavirus have described the effect it has had on their mental health.

Doug and Annemarie Kerr have barely left their home since March. Doug is currently awaiting a kidney transplant, and says they don't feel safe returning to normal life, despite restrictions easing.

Douglas says: "We've been going out for walks but we haven't been going out for shopping or days out, because I feel like the virus is still out there.

"I understand that the economy has got to get moving, but it's not going to be straightforward getting back to normal."

The Government has issued fresh guidance that people who have been shielding can now meet in groups of six outdoors and form support bubbles with other households.

From August, shielding is expected to end completely. But Douglas and Annemarie are still playing it safe.

Annemarie says: "Seeing everybody on social media going to the beach and going to the pub affects our mental health because we're seeing all this happening and we're like 'We want to be doing things like that.

"I know quite a few people who are shielding and they all feel the same way. To tell them that it's safe to go out and socialise - but we feel that it's not."

Read more: Second Somerset pub closes after customer tests positive for coronavirus

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 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.

Those who need to work and cannot do so from home will be advised to return to work from August 1, so long as their workplace is Covid-secure.

Children who are clinically extremely vulnerable will be able return to their education settings from this point if they are eligible.

From this date food and medicine boxes being delivered through the National Shielding Service will stop as shielders will be advised they can visit shops and pharmacies.

The changes have been made following the reduction of the UK's Covid-19 alert level from four to three.

Shielders are still advised to follow strict social distancing measures and should continue to frequently wash their hands.