Coronavirus (COVID-19): Shielding

Shielding measures are for adults and children at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19).

They should be followed when an extremely vulnerable person is living in their own home, with or without additional support, or in a long-term care facility.

These measures have been extended from 18 June to at least 31 July.

Extremely high risk of severe illness

Some groups of people are considered to be at extremely high risk of severe illness with coronavirus and should strictly follow shielding measures.

Their household and other contacts should strictly follow physical distancing measures to protect them.

Children and young people who are shielding

Following an update to guidance issued by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), some children who are currently shielding may no longer need to. This will be decided on a case-by-case basis by their clinician.

Letters will be sent to everyone aged under 18 who is shielding, and Health Boards will make arrangements for clinical reviews to take place.

You and your child should continue to shield until your clinician has discussed the best approach for your child.

RCPCH shielding guidance for children and young people

What is shielding?

Shielding is a measure to protect those at very high risk of severe illness by minimising all interaction between them and others.

If you have been told to shield you should follow physical distancing guidance and stay at home as much as possible – you can go into a private garden or sit on your doorstep.

People who live alone, or who live only with children under 18, can agree with another household to form an “extended household”. This means you’re treated as being part of that household. You can visit this household indoors and stay over, without physical distancing.

Read the Scottish Government’s advice on extended households

Do:

• keep 2 metres (6 feet) away from people outside of your household or extended household
• go outside as much as you like for as long as you like – this doesn’t apply to people living in a residential nursing or care home
• meet 2 other households per day outdoors and in small groups (no more than 8 people) – this doesn’t apply to people living in a residential nursing or care home
• use all types of holiday accommodation and visit outdoor gardens and outdoor markets
• keep in touch with family and friends using technology such as phone, internet, and social media
• use phone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services - if you require an ambulance, phone 999 and tell the call handler you’re following shielding measures because of an underlying health condition

Do not:

• go out for shopping or to pick up prescription medication, arrange for these to be delivered by someone you know, through a supermarket or by your local authority
• go inside a building other than your home, including shops, pharmacies or other people’s houses, other than to use the toilet in someone else’s house when visiting them outdoors
• meet with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (new continuous cough, fever or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste (anosmia))
• go to any large gatherings - this includes gatherings of friends and families in private spaces for example family homes, weddings and religious services

People living in residential care or nursing homes are advised to remain indoors and not meet up with other people from outside their home.

The Scottish Government have more guidance for those who need to shield from coronavirus.

Going outdoors to exercise or be active

If you haven’t been very active for the last few months, take things slowly at first and do whatever level of activity feels comfortable.

You can walk, run or cycle, or take part in non-contact sports if you are ready.

If your child is shielding, you (or their carer) should stay with them when they go outdoors to make sure they stay 2 metres (6 feet) away from others. If they go out, make sure they wash their hands as soon as they come back in.

Getting active again if you have been shielding during coronavirus

Face coverings

You may want to wear a scarf, cloth mask or other face covering if you are going somewhere you may not be able to maintain physical distancing.

You won’t need a surgical or medical grade face mask. Just something you can breathe through which covers your nose and mouth.

You can find our more about the use of face coverings in public settings through the Scottish Government.

To shield or not

Shielding is for your personal protection. It’s your choice to decide whether to follow these measures.

People who have been given a prognosis of less than 6 months to live, and some others in special circumstances, could decide not to undertake shielding. This will be a deeply personal decision you may want to discuss with family or others that are close to you. You should phone your GP or specialist to discuss this as well.

Shielding letter from NHS Scotland

NHS Scotland will be directly contacting people with these conditions to provide further advice.

If you received a letter from NHS Scotland saying you have a condition that makes you at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus, you’re strongly advised to shield yourself to reduce your chance of getting the virus.

If you have one of the conditions listed above but have not received a letter, you should speak to your GP or specialist and follow the advice you receive.

This may be an anxious time for people considered extremely vulnerable and you will have questions and concerns. Plans are being made to make sure you can rely on a wide range of help and support.

Mygov.scot have more guidance for those who have received a shielding letter

If you have not had a letter

If you’re in the extremely high-risk group but have not received a shielding letter, contact your GP or specialist to confirm if you should be shielding and arrange for registration with the support service.

People waiting for a solid organ transplant

You should strictly follow this guidance if you have been asked to shield because you are waiting on a solid organ transplant.

Contact your transplant team to discuss whether following this new advice is right for you.

Workers who need to shield

People who need to shield should work from home if they can. Don’t leave your home to work, only for exercise and to meet another household outdoors.

Contact your employer if you are shielding but currently well. Do not phone your GP or 111. 

If you received a shielding letter from NHS Scotland, show this to your employer as evidence you can’t work outside your home.

School

At the moment, children who have been asked to shield do not attend school. Children who live with someone who is shielding should only attend school if they can strictly follow physical distancing while there.

Parent Club has guidance about your child’s safety when going back to school.

What should I do if I have someone else living with me?

The rest of your household aren’t required to adopt shielding measures for themselves. However, they should support you in shielding by following the guidance on physical distancing and reduce contact outside the home if they can.

Everyone in your household should:

• regularly wash their hands
• avoid touching their face
• clean frequently touched surfaces

Handwashing and respiratory hygiene

To help prevent the spread of coronavirus:

• wash your hands more often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use a hand sanitiser
• wash your hand when you get home or into work, when you blow your nose, sneeze or cough, eat or handle food
• avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• avoid close contact with people who have symptoms
• cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin and wash your hands
• clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in your home

Everyone should:

• wash their hands more often
• stay at home for 7 days if they have symptoms
• stay at home for 14 days if someone in their household has symptoms

Help with food and medicines

The Scottish Government will provide you with support to self-isolate if you’re at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus. This includes including helping you to access medicine and food supplies if you don’t have other means of getting these.

You can access this support:

• through a text message (SMS) service, which is specifically for supporting people who are at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus 
• by phoning your local authority's shielding support line, which will be able to arrange for food and medicine deliveries, and signpost you to other support services

If you’re in this group you will receive a letter from the Scottish Government with more information, including details on how to register for the SMS service.

You should also discuss your daily needs with carers, family, friends, neighbours or local community groups, to see how they can support you. You can also use online services to arrange food deliveries.

Text message (SMS) service

Your letter will include information about the SMS service, including how to register

The SMS service will send you text messages to:

• ask if you need a delivery of basic groceries arranged or if you’re running low on medication
• keep you up to date with the latest information for people who are shielding

They will never ask you for financial or other personal information. The text messages will always come from the same number, which is the one that you originally used to register with the service.

If you have been told by your GP that you’re in the shielding group, but you haven’t yet received a letter from the Chief Medical Officer, you may find there is a delay of several days before you are able to register for the text message service while your records are being updated.

If you need help arranging groceries or other support while you are waiting to be able to register, you should contact your local authority.

Prescriptions

The Government is helping pharmacies to deliver prescriptions.

Prescriptions will continue to cover the same length of time as usual. If you don’t have your prescriptions collected or delivered, you can arrange this by:

• asking someone who can to pick up your prescription from the local pharmacy - this is the best option, if possible
• using the text message service
• phoning your local authority's shielding support line

You may also need to arrange for collection or delivery of hospital specialist medication that’s prescribed to you by your hospital care team.

Health and social care support

If you receive support from health and social care organisations, such as care support through your local authority, this will continue as normal.

Your health or social care provider will be asked to take additional precautions to make sure that you’re protected.

Helpline for vulnerable people

A helpline (0800 111 4000) has been set up for those at increased risk who don’t have a support network, such as family or existing community support.

It can also be used by those in the shielding group who can’t get online and haven’t received a letter yet.

Callers will be connected to their local authority who will help them access the services they need, including:

• essential food and medication
• links to local social work services for vulnerable children or adults
• emotional support
• contact with local volunteer groups

The helpline is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Further information

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): General advice
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Check your symptoms
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Physical distancing
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Ask NHS inform a question

What should I do if I develop symptoms of coronavirus?

If you develop symptoms, phone 111 as soon as possible.

If you’re seriously ill, or in an emergency, phone 999 for an ambulance. Tell the call handler if you or someone you live with has symptoms of coronavirus. Do not visit the GP, pharmacy, out of hours centre or hospital.

If you need to go to hospital as a result of catching coronavirus, prepare a single hospital bag. This should include:

• your emergency contact
• a list of the medications you take, including dose and frequency
• any information on your planned care appointments
• things you would need for an overnight stay such as snacks, pyjamas, toothbrush and medication
• your advanced care plan, if you have one

Full guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection

What should you do if you have hospital and GP appointments during this period?

You should access medical assistance remotely (not face-to-face), wherever possible.

If you have a scheduled hospital or medical appointment, talk to your GP or clinician to ensure you continue to receive the care you need. Consider whether appointments can be postponed.

If you have to visit a care home, adult hospital, GP practice or pharmacy you must wear a face covering.

What’s the advice for visitors, including those who are providing care for me?

You should let your regular visitors know that you are reducing social contacts and they shouldn’t visit you during this time, unless they are providing essential care for you. Essential care includes things like help with washing, dressing, or preparing meals.

If you receive regular health or social care from an organisation, either through your local authority or paid for by yourself, inform your care providers that you are shielding and agree a plan for continuing your care.

If you receive essential care from friends or family members, speak to your carers about extra precautions they can take to keep you safe.

It’s also a good idea to speak to your carers about what happens if one of them becomes unwell. If you need help with care but you’re not sure who to contact, your local council should be able to help you.

What is the advice for informal carers who provide care for someone who is extremely vulnerable?

If you’re caring for someone who’s vulnerable, there are some simple steps that you can take to protect them:

• Wash your hands on arrival and often - use soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands
• Don’t visit if you’re unwell and make alternative arrangements for their care
• Provide them with and prominently display information on who they should call if they are alone and feel unwell (their GP phone number and 111) and how to use NHS inform
• Access advice on creating a contingency plan from Carers UK
• Find out about different sources of support that could be used
• Look after your own well-being and physical health

Do not visit if you’re unwell. Try to make alternative arrangements for their care. If carers and family and friends are unable to provide essential care for someone, they should contact their local social work department.

The Scottish Government have published coronavirus advice for unpaid carers, option 1 and 2 advice for personal assistants and guidance for accessing PPE.

Making an emergency plan

Carers who do not already have an emergency plan should speak with family and friends to find out who could take over their caring role if they become ill or need to self-isolate. This is especially important while social work services are under additional pressure during the coronavirus outbreak. Your local carers’ centre may be able to help you to develop an emergency plan over the phone or online.

Make sure you have key information about the person you care for easily available. This will help anyone taking over their care.

How do I look after my wellbeing?

Social isolation, reduction in physical activity, unpredictability and changes in routine can all contribute to increasing stress. Many people including those without existing mental health needs may feel anxious.

If you’re receiving services for your mental health, learning disability or autism and you’re worried about the impact of isolation, contact your keyworker, care coordinator or provider to review your care plan.

If you have additional needs please contact your key worker or care coordinator to develop a safety or crisis plan.

Constantly watching the news can make you feel more worried. If you think it’s affecting you, try to limit the time you spend watching, reading, or listening to media coverage of the outbreak. It may help to only check the news at set times or limiting this to a couple of times a day. Try to focus on the things you can control, such as your behaviour, who you speak to and who you get information from.

You may find your mood and feelings are affected by shielding. You may feel bored, frustrated low or worried and have problems sleeping.

It can be easy to fall into unhealthy patterns of behaviour which in turn can make you feel worse.

There are simple things you can do that may help, to stay mentally and physically active during this time, such as:

• sitting less and moving more – try doing some simple strength and balance exercises, look for ideas on keeping active at home or have a go at an online fitness class
• going outside to exercise or meet people from another household
• spending time doing things you enjoy – this might include reading, cooking, other indoor hobbies or listening to/watching favourite radio or TV programmes
• eating healthy, well-balanced meals
• drinking enough water
• trying to avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs
• keeping your windows open to let in fresh air
• arranging a space to sit with a nice view, if possible
• getting some natural sunlight if you can or sit on your front step, staying more than 2 metres away from others
• taking vitamin D if you’re not getting enough natural sunlight

If you’re still struggling with your mental health and it’s affecting your daily life, you should phone 111.

Looking after your mental wellbeing during coronavirus

What steps can I take to stay connected with family and friends during this time?

Try to stay in touch with those around you over the phone, by post or online.

Let people know how you would like to stay in touch and build that into your routine. This is also important in looking after your mental wellbeing. You may find it helpful to talk to them about how you’re feeling.

Remember, it’s okay to share your concerns with others you trust. You may end up providing support to them too.

What is the advice for people living in long-term care facilities, either for the elderly or persons with special needs?

Care providers should carefully discuss shielding with the families, carers and specialist doctors caring for such people to ensure shielding measures are strictly followed.

What is the advice for parents and schools with extremely vulnerable children?

Shielding advice also applies to extremely vulnerable children in mainstream and special schools.