Updated Shielding Guidance for people in England coming "very soon" according to government officials.

[Paul_Howard]

Hi everyone,

There has been some discussion about this within the forum and I just saw this article which may be of interest - bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53064372

Matt Hancock has indicated that an update to the guidance will be announced "very soon".

In response to the article published by HSJ about the forthcoming announcement, the government said "no final decision has yet been made" about when to end the shielding programme.

LUPUS UK will update our information and guidance swiftly following any announcement from officials.

[DJK99]

Thanks so much Paul. Hope you and yours are doing OK.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to DJK99]

We're doing fine Thanks for asking.

[misty14]

Thanks so much for posting this very helpful info Paul. Puts an end to the rumours etc and we shielder's know an announcement is coming soon. Keep safe and well. Xx

[LalSD]

Thank you Paul. With best wishes, L

[happytulip]

Thanks Paul!

[happytulip in reply to happytulip]

I had better set up a Facebook, Twitter Snapchat, and Tiktok account (whatever they are)! As any news will probably come via those channels.

[Hatelupus]

Thank you!

[Teanna]

Hi Paul, I had a phone call from my GP surgery saying that I can go out but wear a mask. Although I have Lupus, APS, Under active thyroid, Liver failure, and other ill issues. Do you think that it is safe for me go out? I did get 2 letters from Islington council to contact them for PPE for my carer and myself.

What do you advice

Teanna

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to Teanna]

Hi Teanna ,

I'm afraid I can't really advise you because I'm not medically qualified and the latest official guidance hasn't been published yet.

I've heard rumours that at the end of June shielding may be relaxed slightly more and then at the end of July people who are shielding will have the same advice as people in the 'vulnerable/moderate risk' group. There was a suggestion that due to the lower prevalence of the virus, we should help to reassure people who are shielding that it is safe to relax the measures as mental health and lack of routine medical care are now bigger risks.

These are all rumours however. We won't know more until after the government announcement.

[KatieRL]

I have been shielding since March like so many others. At the 5pm briefing last Thursday Boris said that we’d have further guidance ‘next week’. I have, however. come to a decision that I alone will decide what to do and when, although I will listen to guidelines. If I caught this virus, it is highly unlikely I would recover and unless the R number has dropped, I’m staying put. It’s a risk assessment when you go out and at the moment the risk is still too high for me.