How much contact when caring for a vulnerable person?

[Carer589]

What exactly does 'caring' cover? I'm caring for an elderly neighbour and not sure how much time I should be spending there. I cook a hot meal every day in my house and deliver it. I wash up when I go to collect the dishes. I'd like to do a load of washing and a couple of hours cleaning a week. Is that too much time spent with him or is that classed as essential care?

If spending a couple of hours cleaning is okay, can I stay for a chat when I drop off the meal (sitting 2m away at the opposite side of the room, obviously)?

I suppose it depends on how many precautions you are taking otherwise. If you are self isolating and have been for some time, then you are at a low risk of passing things on.

In my case, I am having to get shopping for a person with immune issues. Because I'm physically going into the shops (even with gloves and sanitizer and maintaining appropriate distance) there's a risk I could carry germs. So I leave the shopping at the door and back off two meters before chatting.

I'm social distancing but still need to shop, for myself and for them. I can leave the food and the shopping at the door but need to go in to clean. He really can't cope by himself (should be in a home but that's a whole different story) and will end up in squalor if I don't go in.