Peterborough office
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66 South Street, Oakham Rutland, LE15 6BQ
01572 757 565 01572 720 555 enquiries@hegarty.co.ukMarket Deeping office
27a Market Place, Market Deeping, PE6 8EA
01778 230 120 01778 230 129 enquiries@hegarty.co.uk19 Mar 2021
As the number of coronavirus case continue to fall, more than 3.79 million clinically extremely vulnerable people in England are able to stop shielding from Thursday 1st April 2021.
The new guidance issued by Public Health England is in line with the government’s COVID-19 Response – Spring 2021 roadmap which states that those who are currently shielding can begin following the national lockdown measures alongside the rest of the population. However, they are also advised to take extra precautions to reduce their risk of catching the virus. The government will begin sending out letters regarding the new guidance to those on the shielding list as of 18th March 2021.
The government is advising people to continue working from home where possible however, those that are unable to work from home are able to go to work. Employers are obligated to ensure their workplaces are COVID-19 secure in order to reduce the chances of their employees catching the virus. Additionally, employers must explain the measures they have put in place to keep their employees safe at work.
The clinically extremely should also assess how they will be getting to and from work with the government advising that they should avoid using public transport during the busiest hours such as the rush hour.
The letters that are being sent out to the clinically vulnerable will also outline the government support available after 1st April:
The clinically extremely vulnerable will no longer be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) from 1st April 2021 if their reasons for receiving the funds were due to shielding. However, if they are eligible to receive the funds if they are sick or incapable of working.
Read more about the new shielding guidance on gov.co.uk