
What is shielding?
Shielding is a measure to protect people who are clinically at high risk from the coronavirus, by supporting them to self-isolate to minimise all interaction with others.
The Scottish Government paused shielding from 1 August. A shielding list has been created to provide extra advice and support.
Cases are now rising across Scotland, the Scottish government has announced that we will have 5 protection levels in Scotland.
Protection levels will be set in response to infection data in local areas. There is different guidance for each protection level. You should follow the guidance for your area’s protection level.
The Chief Medical Officer wrote to everyone on the shielding list during the week beginning 4 January to set out further advice. The advice is now that you should stay home as much as possible but you can still go out for exercise and essential shopping or medicines. And that you should minimise contact with people outside your own household if you can. You should also not take public transport.
There is extra advice for people considered at higher risk from coronavirus. You should follow the protection level guidance for the general population as a minimum. The Scottish Government is also giving those at higher risk extra advice for areas like work, school, shopping and contact with others. You can find this extra advice in the table below:
For more information please see the Scottish Government page on shielding
What is the shielding list?
Being on the shielding list does not mean that you have to stay at home all the time, however being on the list means you will get extra advice and support, such as;
- advice and support for shopping
- advice and support on seeing other people
The Scottish Government will soon send you some information to help you make a personal plan.
If you do not want to be on the shielding list you can ask your GP to take you off the list, it is important to think about things and make the right decision for you.
You can find the latest shielding information on mygov.scot website.
Guide support
You can continue to provide guide support to someone who is shielding. You do not have to live with them or be in their extended household group.
Do not support someone if you have any symptoms or have been exposed to someone with symptoms.
Staying safe with daily activities
All levels: we will not ask you to distance from people within your own homes or to stop taking outdoor exercise.
Level 0 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Contact with others | Follow the level advice to the general population | Follow the level advice to the general population | Reduce the number of people or households you have face to face contact with Avoid one metre zones |
Limit meeting people outside your own household, avoid indoor public spaces | Minimise contact with people outside your own household if you can You should not take public transport |
Shopping | Strictly follow the guidelines when shopping |
Strictly follow the guidelines when shopping |
Strictly follow the guidelines when shopping |
Strictly follow the guidelines when shopping and limiting the number of times you go to a shop Shop at quieter times |
Strictly follow the guidelines when shopping and limiting the number of times you go to a shop Shop at quieter times |
If you cannot work from home |
Following a workplace risk assessment, your employer should make the necessary adjustments to your workplace to protect you You can discuss getting a fit note with your GP or clinician if you still feel unsafe |
Following a workplace risk assessment, your employer should make the necessary adjustments to your workplace to protect you You can discuss getting a fit note with your GP or clinician if you still feel unsafe |
Following a workplace risk assessment, your employer should make the necessary adjustments to your workplace to protect you You can discuss getting a fit note with your GP or clinician if you still feel unsafe |
Speak to your employer to ensure all appropriate protections are in place If they are not, discuss getting a fit note with your GP or clinician |
The Chief Medical Officer will issue a 2-week fit note. This will protect you from coronavirus while you speak to your GP or consultant to get a personal fit note if needed |
School/Formal Childcare | Follow the level advice to the general population | Follow the level advice to the general population | Follow the level advice to the general population | Parents or guardians should discuss with their GP or clinician whether children should still attend |
Children on the shielding list should not attend in person |
Children and young people
Children and young people who are shielding
Recent changes to our shielding advice apply to children and young people who have been asked to shield.
Children on the shielding list should not attend school in person.
The advice on going outdoors applies to children and young people. It is important that, if needed, a parent or carer stays with them. This is to make sure that they stay 2 metres away from other people. Make sure they wash their hands for at least 20 seconds as soon as they come back in.
Employment
The Scottish Government advise if you cannot work from home, if you live or work in an area in lockdown, you should not go to work. The letter you will receive from the Chief Medical Officer acts as a fit note for as long as lockdown restrictions are in place.
This letter is called a shielding notification and can be shown to your employer without the need for a GP fit note.
If you are not attending your workplace, your employer, at their discretion, may be able to furlough you through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which has now been extended until April 2021. If you are furloughed, HMRC will give a grant to your employer to cover 80% of your normal salary, and your employer will need to pay National Insurance and pension contributions. You should discuss this directly with your employer.
You may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay, Universal Credit, or other benefits, during this period. To find out further information about what benefits you may be entitled to, speak to your employer, or visit www.gov.uk/browse/benefits, there is also further information on our webpages https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/coronavirus-covid-19/information-claiming-benefits
Some employers may offer additional financial support for employees who are off work for coronavirus-related reasons which may be set out in your terms and conditions of employment. To find out what financial support you will get, you should contact your employer.
The Job Retention Scheme does not apply if you are self-employed or to any income from self-employment. However, you may qualify for support under the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme. The online service for this grant is available at www.gov.uk.
If you have any concerns you should discuss these with your manager or your employer. You can also get further advice from:
- Occupational Health services provided by your employer, where available
- a Health and Safety representative in your workplace
- your workplace’s Human Resources (HR) department
- your trade union or professional body
- Scottish Hazards provide a confidential service for workers. You can contact them for workplace health and safety advice and support. You can call them for free on 0800 0015 022.
Priority Access to Online Supermarket Slots
Anyone who has been placed on the shielding list by the Chief Medical Officer is entitled to register for priority access to an online supermarket delivery slot. If you have been placed on the shielding list, you will have received a letter from the Chief Medical Officer. You may have previously signed up to priority access to an online supermarket delivery slot prior to 31 July 2020, if you haven’t already signed up you are still able to via the Scottish Government Shielding text messaging service or via our Aberdeen City Support Line. Further information is available under our Frequently Asked Questions.