More than 3.7 million vulnerable people in England will no longer have to shield from the coronavirus from 1 April.
It comes as the numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions have declined for the past couple of weeks.
Letters will be sent out to this group in the next two weeks. In them, people will still be advised to keep social contacts at low levels, work from home where possible and stay at a distance from other people.
Since 5 January, they have been asked to stay at home as much as possible to reduce their risk of being exposed to the virus. But at a Downing Street press conference, Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed shielding guidance, which had been extended to 31 March for all those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, would end on 1 April.
England's deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries recommended the change based on the latest scientific evidence and advice.
Source: BBC News, 17 March 2021
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