Wigan residents who are extremely vulnerable to Covid-19 receive new advice

Wigan is in tier two, which is for areas with high case rates of Covid-19.

That means residents who are classed as clinically extremely vulnerable in the borough should reduce the number of different people they meet outside, avoid travel except for essential journeys, work from home where possible and reduce the number of shopping trips made or go at quieter times of the day.

They have been told they can still go to work if it is not possible to do their job from home because all workplaces should now be Covid secure, and their children should still attend school.

This advice is on top of the restrictions for everyone to not meet other households indoors, unless part of a support bubble, and to only meet in groups of up to six people outdoors.

New advice has also been given to the clinically extremely vulnerable in areas under tier one restrictions for medium case levels and tier three, which is for areas with very high rates of Covid-19.

The clinically extremely vulnerable group includes those with conditions affecting the immune system, certain cancers and organ transplant recipients.

It is hoped that the new advice will help them protect themselves from the virus without going into formal shielding, where they are told to stay at home, not go to work or school and only interact with their household or support bubble.

The Government said it cannot rule out the use of full shielding again in the future but promised to write to households affected if that happens.

Deputy chief medical officer for England Dr Jenny Harries said: “Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen a sharp increase in the prevalence of the virus across the country and we know those who are clinically extremely vulnerable are looking for practical advice on how they can carry on their lives while the virus remains in our communities.

“The new system will provide clarity on how best those in this group can keep themselves as safe as possible depending on the rates of transmission in their local area. While advisory, I would urge all those affected to follow the guidance wherever they can and to continue to access health services for their medical conditions.

“We will continue to monitor the evidence closely and fine-tune this approach to make sure everyone in this group is clear about the safest way to go about their daily lives, particularly over the coming winter months.”

Health and social care secretary Matt Hancock said: “With coronavirus rates continuing to increase, now is the time to take action and ensure we protect the most vulnerable in our society.

“Today’s announcement will mean every person most at risk from serious outcomes from the virus will have specific advice targeted to local levels, which they can follow to keep themselves as safe as possible, while ensuring they can also keep as much normality in their lives as possible.”

There are currently 2.2 million people identified as clinically extremely vulnerable across the country.

The Government also said those who are vulnerable should continue to seek medical support for existing health conditions, stressing that the NHS should have procedures in place to keep them safe during hospital appointments.