The Government has updated its guidance for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) during the national lockdown – and support is available for them locally and nationally.
The new guidance advises people in this category to:
• Stay home as much as possible
• Use supermarket deliveries, ‘click and collect’ or ask others to collect their food or medicine for them
• Continue to go outside to exercise with their household/support bubble or to meet one other person
• Not attend a workplace – work from home if possible.
Employers can advise about options available and information about financial support is available at www.gov.uk/coronavirus-shielding-support.
People who are CEV are further advised to try to keep contact with people outside their household or support bubble to a minimum and avoid busy areas, as well as continuing to maintain strict social distancing, washing hands regularly and avoiding touching their face. They should also try to stay two metres away from other people within their household, especially if they display symptoms of the virus or have been advised to self-isolate.
The Government will be writing to people who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable with the full guidance. In the meantime the definition of CEV and the full guidance is available at: www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
The City Council is providing help and support for local residents in this category. Those contacted by the Government are asked to register for support by filling in the form here: www.gov.uk/coronavirus-shielding-support. If they need to register by phone, or have an urgent need or query about CEV, they can contact the council directly on its Golden Number 0115 915 5555.
The council can help with:
• Supermarkets – Getting access to a priority supermarket delivery slot and discussing different options available
• Food and essential supplies – Arranging for a volunteer to deliver food or essential items
• Wellbeing – Arranging for safe social contact, providing reassurance and welfare calls
• Practical needs – Helping to connect with local support that’s available for domestic tasks such as dog walking, gardening, errands, basic personal support and urgent home maintenance
• Digital Needs – Providing support for registering for supermarket slots, registering on the Government’s register of Clinically Extremely Vulnerable portal and support with online activities
• Advice – Signposting to services providing advice on financial and employment concerns, guidance on understanding the Lockdown restrictions and social distancing, help with substance abuse.
Portfolio Holder for Communities, Cllr Rebecca Langton, said: “We are all approaching the second national lockdown with some trepidation but perhaps none more so that those who are clinically extremely vulnerable. People in this category will be contacted by the Government and given guidance on what to do. The council is here to do whatever we can to help people who are most at risk from coronavirus and so need extra support while they keep themselves safe. They can access this support by calling our Golden Number.
“For the clinically extremely vulnerable, help is at hand for everything from registering for this support, to practical help with shopping and domestic tasks such as dog walking, gardening and errands, as well as making sure there is social contact and people are coping mentally and physically with lockdown. Together we can get through this lockdown.”
People with symptoms of Covid-19 can now be tested quickly and easily for the virus, by calling 119 or via the online government portal. The locations of the Mobile Testing Unit can be found on the Nottingham NHS website here or you can order a test kit to be sent to your home.