Confused.com

[Sunfloweronline]

I live in g Manchester and after 4 mths of shielding and not going out,1-1wks of lifted restrictions and feeling relieved, I’m now risking a fine of £100 if anyone comes into my garden or anywhere near me front door????

But I’m okay to do my own shopping, go to the pub , travel public transport or go to a restaurant now that Covid19 is increasing????

What does the B L F advise me to do? My mental health is gonna suffer along side my lung desease????

I’m in a turmoil!!!

Help

[Troilus]

Some local authorities are reintroducing shielding, Blackburn for example.

Also, my end of shielding letter said nothing about pubs etc. My advice was that I could go to work, if I could not work from home, but only if it is Covid secure. (I assume this is so we do not lose our jobs.) I can also go out for food and medication. ( I assume this is because the volunteers who did this for some people are going back to work.) I can also go to a place of worship.

It also tells me to stay at home as much as possible.

I am not a representative of BLF but as you live in an area where the rate of infection is growing, I would be inclined to do the latter. Stay at home as much as possible.

As the old adage says, just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

[Sunfloweronline in reply to Troilus]

Thanks T I appreciate your reply. Wishing you all the very best 😊

[Janisapp in reply to Troilus]

I agree mine never mentioned going anywhere just stay home wasn't Givin multiple choice

[joyce74 in reply to Troilus]

I am in the same boat. This weekend my husband will be 80 and a barbecue is planned at our daughters large back garden, yesterday I received a letter from our council saying I will be fined if I enter anyone’s garden . I have followed the rules since lockdown and have not seen any family members other than when they drop off groceries outside . We spent our 59th wedding anniversary yesterday on our own. Sat in the car at a local beauty spot. Hope the people breaking the rules re distancing will change their ways and give us vulnerable ones a chance to have a better chance of normality. Keep well.

[Hidden]

I think you need to contact your local council to be clearer what is permitted and not permitted in the area in Manchester that you live

secure.manchester.gov.uk/in...

You will still need to safe distance from people not of your household or support bubble as indicated in the link.

[Sunfloweronline in reply to Hidden]

I’m very grateful for for your advice Bkin I am gonna be in touch with B L F and as you advise the council 😊

[Ladyindistress79]

I sympathise with you. I live near Bradford and am subject to the restrictions which have been applied there as I pay council tax to Bradford. I am totally fed up.

[Lullabelle_18]

I’m really confused now reading this ☹️

I finished shielding last Friday with everyone else but this is the first I’ve heard of an end of shielding letter.

I went to my parents yesterday as my brother and nephew made a surprise visit and we sat in the garden for about 3 hours. So was I not supposed to do that? I thought that we could meet outdoors while still being socially distant?

I’m also going back to work on Monday as I cannot work from home. I’m not sure now whether I should be doing that?

[MoyB in reply to Lullabelle_18]

Check the Government web site for info if you're not sure. I think that's what I would do. xx Moy

[Lullabelle_18 in reply to MoyB]

I will do, thank you.

It’ll be Sod’s law that I receive a letter today 😂

[MoyB in reply to Lullabelle_18]

I had a letter a few weeks ago advising that shielding would end on August 1st. Also, our local authority (East Sussex) posted on Facebook about life after shielding.

I think the main purpose of both communications was to advise that the food boxes would be stopping but that priority shopping slots would continue. There were contact details for people who would still need help after August 1st. The info on priority shopping slots was ambiguous and I wasn't sure if I needed to re-register as an extremely vulnerable person so I took the view that it was better to do it than not.

The next day I had a phone call from someone in Adult Social Care checking that I was ok and making sure that I was set up for the end of shielding, particularly regarding food and medication. I explained that I had registered again to ensure I got the priority shopping slots but that I would send any food box back with the driver as it's not required. I couldn't do this as the following day, the driver left it on the doorstep and rang the bell. They were gone before I got to the door, so I followed the advice on the letter that came with the box and cancelled the food boxes on line.

The end-of-shielding advice, as I recall, was that we could now do the same as everyone else, but should remain alert.

Common sense tells me to remain cautious about doing things.

xx Moy

[Lullabelle_18 in reply to MoyB]

Oh I see, when I saw that somebody mentioned an end of shielding letter I thought that they’d received another one this week (as in at the end of shielding). I did receive one a few weeks ago saying about the food boxes etc.

I think that’s all we can do for now is use our common sense and just be careful about what situations we put ourselves in.

Thanks for clarifying Moy and take care x

[Mickymoo in reply to Lullabelle_18]

I work for the government and was off work sheilding also. It officially finished 31st july. Although its been "paused" not stopped completely we are still to abide by social distsncing ie: 2 metres apart. As it finished on 31st july everyone is expected to return to work, if you cannot work from home. As you had a sheilding letter though your work has to do a risk assesment with you before your (or on your return) to work. If you are not happy that social distancing can be put in place at work you can refuse to go in for your own safety. They have to meet the guildlines for your best interests as a duty of care to their employees. Unfortunately i can work from home lol. Going to be hard doing 9 to 5 at a computer all day until my 8 year old starts back at school on 1st september!

[Sunfloweronline in reply to Mickymoo]

Thanks M, but I’m a retired widow of 14mths and I’m diagnosed I P F. I’m concerned about my family being fined£100 if they need to visit me when I have to call on them to assist me. I hope that you keep safe and well along with your family 🌻

[Mickymoo in reply to Sunfloweronline]

Thats unbelievable. Fined £100 for someone in your garden when people are walking around town with no masks here. X

[Biofreak]

Same here. Daft isn't it? The government don't seem to see it that way though. I think they prefer to blame the people rather than relieving restrictions too soon.