Coronavirus (COVID-19): shielding support and contacts

Overview of 'shielding' 

Shielding is a measure to protect people who are clinically at high risk of severe illness from coronavirus. People who have been identified as needing to shield should:

• not leave their homes
• keep 2 metres away from everyone, even those they live with, avoiding as much face to face contact as they can

While it is up to individuals whether or not to follow these measures, the Chief Medical Officer strongly urges that they do.

Review dates for shielding

We are asking people to continue to shield and to stay at home until at least the end of July. We will also continue to support those who are shielding until at least 31 July 2020. 

However, from 18 June 2020, as long as infection rates in Scotland are low enough, we will be advising that those who are shielding can start to leave their home to exercise outdoors. This advice will not apply to those who are shielding and living in care homes.

There will be no limit on the amount of times people can go out, or for how long people can stay outdoors. If someone does decide to go out for exercise, they: 

• should go for a run, walk, wheel or cycle
• can go out on their own or with someone from their household
• should maintain strict physical distancing (also known as social distancing), at all times, even if the person is from their household
• should not meet with anyone from another household
• should choose times and areas that are quiet, if possible
• should wash their hands as soon as they get back home

We will announce whether rates are low enough in the Scottish Government’s daily coronavirus briefing on 17 June 2020. We will also send a text through our SMS Shielding Service and update this guide.

We know that, even with this change, shielding is hard. At the moment, it’s still the best way for those in the highest risk group to stay safe from coronavirus.

We do not plan to ask people to shield forever, but it will take time to move to a new approach. We will keep providing updates, so that people know what is happening and what to expect.

Keeping up-to-date with changes to shielding

We’ll be in contact by letter about any changes to our advice before the end of July.

We’ll also use the SMS Shielding Service to send you the latest updates directly to your mobile phone.

Contact the national COVID-19 helpline on 0800 111 4000 if you need support with shielding.

Helpline

The national COVID-19 helpline - 0800 111 4000 - puts people in contact with their local authority who can provide support for those who don’t have a network of support. This is in addition to national support available for people who have received letters advising them to shield.

If you are not in the shielding group, there is support available for those who need additional support.