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 ensure that people who are (a) clinically vulnerable, (b) clinically extremely vulnerable and (c) over-70 receive clear and targeted messages during the covid-19 outbreak to ensure that they (i) know which group they fall into and (ii) are well-informed about the Government guidance on shielding and social distancing for that group.

The advice for people aged 70 and over, and those who are clinically vulnerable remains unchanged - to stay at home as much as possible, taking particular care to minimise contact with others. Government guidance is clear as to who falls into this group.

People who are clinically extremely vulnerable were placed on the shielding list and were advised by letter to stay at home until the end of June. This has now been reviewed, and advice to those who are shielding in two stages, to take effect from 6 July and 1 August. Support for those shielding will continue to the end of July so that people can plan for these changes.

This is all set out clearly in the Government guidance. If incidence does not rise this guidance will be updated on 1 August. The guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing