Shielding coming to an end for millions

Today marks the last day that about four million of the most clinically vulnerable people in England and Wales are advised to shield at home.

Letters have been sent out to the group in the last few weeks. They are still being advised to keep social contacts at low levels, work from home where possible and stay at a distance from other people.

The change comes amid falling Covid cases and hospital admissions. According to NHS Digital, there are 3.8 million shielded patients in England and 130,000 in Wales.

Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to lift their restrictions later in April.

People affected by shielding included Rob Smith, from Hull, who has muscular dystrophy.

Shielding for more than a year has been a "nightmare", he told BBC Breakfast.

"Where I was able to go out, I didn't feel I wanted to. I didn't feel confident to face people again," he said. "I've always been sociable.... It's had a massive impact."

Mr Smith now says he feels anxious about the future and believes for many people who have been shielding, it will "take time to get used to being out there again".

He is also wary of the risk of mixing with others again.

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Source: BBC News, 31 March 2021