Last day of Covid-19 shielding for 130,000 in Wales

Over 100,000 people in Wales are facing their last day under Covid-19 shielding advice, as cases of the virus continue to fall across the country.

From tomorrow those who have been shielding can go to work, if they cannot work from home, as long as the business is Covid-secure. Children who have been shielding can also return to school

In December the Chief Medical Officer for Wales advised those most at risk of serious harm from coronavirus to stay at home to protect themselves during both Covid-19 waves.

Having reviewed the advice for clinically extremely vulnerable people Dr Frank Attheron has now advised that shielding measures should be paused from today.

‘Record’

Shielding was previously paused between August and December last year, in a lull between the two Covid-19 waves. The Welsh Government said that they would reinstate the shielding advice if needed.

“We will continue to keep a record of everyone on the shielding patients list should we need to ask anyone to undertake shielding measures again in future,” they said.

The Welsh Government has also said that everyone on the Shielding Patient List has been offered the Covid-19 vaccine.

“If you think you have been missed, you can find details of how to contact your local Health Board,” they said.

“If you have recently been added to the Shielding Patient List you will be prioritised for vaccination.”

“Please allow approximately a week from the date of your letter to be invited while systems are updated.”

It is also the last day of shielding for three and a half million people in England. Scotland and Northern Ireland will lift their own restrictions later in April.