Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support people shielding in areas subject to Tier 2 and Tier 3 local lockdown restrictions.

Shielding was paused on 1 August 2020 in England. However, it is important that clinically extremely vulnerable people continue to take extra care, particularly as infection rates rise again. On 13 October, the Government published new guidance to the clinically extremely vulnerable that advises additional things they are advised to do to keep themselves safe at each local COVID-19 alert level. This new guidance is designed to offer practical and proportionate advice to help people protect themselves and minimise the need to introduce restrictive shielding advice.

Where clinically extremely vulnerable individuals need help with the collection of medicines, shopping or other essentials, support is available from National Health Service Volunteer Responders at all local COVID-19 alert levels. Those in a very high local alert level who need extra support at home should contact their local council.