Advice for clinically extremely vulnerable

Important advice for those who are clinically extremely vulnerable (previously shielding) in Leicester.

Advice from 2 December

Everyone in Leicester must follow the new Tier 3 restrictions from 2 December.

There is extra advice for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable. The government is sending letters to people and you can see a copy of the letter online. This page summarises the key points.

These are not rules but advice you can choose to follow to help keep yourself safe:

• Stay at home as much as possible. Avoid travel except to go to work, school or for essential shopping.
• Significantly reduce your shopping trips, including to pharmacies. Consider using online delivery slots for food shopping, or ask friends and family to help deliver shopping or collect medicines for you. Other support is listed below. You should also consider shopping or going to the pharmacy at quieter times of day.
• You should still go outside for exercise.
• Work from home where possible. If you cannot work from home, speak to your employer about taking on an alternative role or change your working patterns temporarily. You can attend work if this is not possible.
• Continue to attend school or college.

Healthcare

The NHS is open you should continue to access all the NHS services that you need. It is safer for you to use the NHS than to try to manage alone. You can also quickly and easily access a range of NHS services from home, including ordering repeat prescriptions or having an online appointment.

Christmas bubbles 23-27 December

You can choose to be part of a Christmas bubble if you are clinically extremely vulnerable, but it does involve greater risks for you as you will be increasing the number of people you have contact with. It is important that you and your family or friends consider these risks carefully before agreeing to form a bubble. Forming a Christmas bubble is a personal choice and should be balanced against the increased risk of infection.

If you do decide to form a Christmas bubble, others in your bubble should be mindful of your increased risks and be extra vigilant in the days before you get together. You should maintain social distance from those you don’t normally live with at all times, avoiding physical contact. Everyone should wash their hands more often and touch points, such as door handles and surfaces, should be kept clean. It is also important to allow fresh air into the space where you spend time with those you don’t normally live with. You may want to think about who you sit next to, including during meals, and also consider wearing a face covering indoors where social distancing may be difficult.

If you don’t feel comfortable spending time with other people indoors, think of other ways that you can safely spend time together, for example on walks outdoors or supported by technology, and how you can make that time feel different and special. Going outdoors carefully for exercise is also encouraged. It is important that you do not feel pressured to celebrate Christmas in an environment that makes you anxious.

Find full information on Christmas bubbles on GOV.UK.

Support available

You can contact the NHS Volunteer Responder scheme for help collecting shopping, medicine or other essential supplies, or just for someone to talk to. You can call them free on 0808 1963646.

If you are concerned that you will still need help during the lockdown period, please fill out our online form or email c19support@leicester.gov.uk.