Do you think Shielding will be reintroduced?

[Bbq1]

Back in March, I received a letter advising me to shield which I did for 6 months, returning to work earlier this month.I am in quite a high risk work environment and somebody on the staff has just tested positive for Covid. I am also in one of the local lockdown areas that are having tighter restrictions placed on us on Tuesday. Nothing has been mentioned anywhere but do people think shielding will be re introduced at some point?

Yes

It was always a possibility (they said in the deshielding message that the list would be kept in case of a need to recall), and the mutterings that it features in current planning have begun (was mentioned on the BBC News this evening)

were you on full pay?

@lovenote Why do you ask about pay?
I definitely don't want to be told to shield again, I never wanted to.in the first place. I still don't think I should have been but i received the letter and my gp told me "You're one of our high risk patients".

It's a bit worrying

I ask about pay because with furlough ending and shielding almost over I wonder if finances are going to play a part from now on

Some companies must be on their knees and with government support withdrawn I just wonder if it’s a factor

The shielding program was paused not stopped and there are definitely provisions in place for it to restart.

At the moment it’s up to local authorities what happens about shielding in lockdown areas.

Oh right@Lovenote. Yes, i was on full pay. think in my line of work they're bound to pay you in full. I guess thst could change but it's very unlikely. I was one of about 5 people shielding, possibly more. It's not a choice to shield and I do need and want to work.

@Bbq1

Oh right@Lovenote. Yes, i was on full pay. think in my line of work they're bound to pay you in full. I guess thst could change but it's very unlikely. I was one of about 5 people shielding, possibly more. It's not a choice to shield and I do need and want to work.

It is a choice to shield is it not? It's never been mandatory. I'm a teacher and on the sheilding list. I simply said I didn't wish to and have been working. My doctors/ hospital took me off their lists at my request and I wasn't contacted again. It's definitely optional

They updated the (paused) shielding guigabe at the start of September

www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

If shielding resumes, either locally or nationally, then there is some help:

" If you’re clinically extremely vulnerable and live in an area where additional public health measures require you to resume shielding, the government will write to you and advise you to stay at home and shield.

"If you’re unable to work from home or a location outside the lockdown area:

• your employer may be able to furlough you under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme if you have previously been furloughed for a period of at least 3 consecutive weeks taking place any time between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2020. This scheme will run until the end of October 2020.
• you may be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay from your employer on the basis that you cannot work because you are shielding
• you may be eligible for benefits

"If you work inside an area where clinically extremely vulnerable people are still being advised to shield, you are advised to work from home where possible, and not attend a workplace within the area where local restrictions are in place. If you live outside of that area, you may need to request a shielding letter as proof for your employer that you cannot attend your usual workplace."