Changes to shielding and support for self-isolators

New national self-isolation guidance for people, who may have been exposed to the Covid-19 virus, comes into force from 1 April.

It is critical for anyone, who may have been exposed to the virus to complete their self-isolation period, as directed by NHS test and trace. This new guidance is designed to provide further support, to ensure individuals are able to complete the 10-day isolation.

We will provide welfare, practical and emotional support to residents in a quick, responsive way.

We are also creating a self-isolation support booklet, which will provide helpful information to residents – who are asked to self-isolate for 10 days – on self-serving and how to get in touch with the council, if they need extra support.

The self-isolation support booklet will be available to download from a newly-updated Covid-19 section of our website. This contains further details on the updated national guidance and how to be better prepared for self-isolation.

Dr Matt Tyrer, Cheshire East Council’s director of public health, said: “All clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) Cheshire East residents should now have received a letter from the Department of Health and Social Care about the new guidance and changes. This means that, from 1 April, CEVs are no longer advised to shield but must continue to follow the rules in place for everyone under the current national restrictions.

“It is still important people continue to follow the national rules and take the additional precautions set out in the guidance to keep themselves as protected as possible.

“In the lockdown period, Cheshire East Council has provided support to 1,500 CEVs who have registered through the national shielding support system and to a further 4,500 residents who have asked for support directly to the council. We shall continue supporting individuals through our ‘People Helping People’ initiative, whether they are considered extremely vulnerable or not.”