Vulnerable people will not be asked to shield – Wales’ Chief Medical Officer says

Vulnerable people will not be asked to shield despite the recent increase in coronavirus cases, Wales’ Chief Medical Officer has said.

Shielding advice to people who are classed as extremely clinically vulnerable was lifted on April 1 this year.

But Dr Frank Atherton has now confirmed that advice will not be brought back at this time.

Wales is set to move from Alert Level 1 into Alert Level 0 from August 7, meaning most legal restrictions will be lifted and replaced with guidance and advice.

A statement released by Wales’ Health Minister, Eluned Morgan, on July 27 said: “Fewer people are being admitted to hospital and there has been significantly fewer deaths when compared to earlier waves.

“The Chief Medical Officer is keen to ensure that we balance the risk of harm from coronavirus with the risk of harm to an individual’s mental health.

“He has indicated that he does not expect to have to advise shielding again in the future, based on current evidence.”  

But Mrs Morgan added: “There will be some exceptions – where patients have received specific advice to shield themselves by their own clinician.

“This is advice that they are likely to have had to take regardless of the pandemic. They should continue to follow this personalised advice if advised by their clinician.”

Dr Atherton is set to write to everyone on the shielding list to provide more information about the government advice and how to minimise the personal risk, as well as to emphasise the importance of getting vaccinated.

Information about what coronavirus measures remain in place in Wales will also be included in the letter, in order to “ensure that those who receive news from UK media outlets know that different rules will apply in Wales and there will be more protections here”.

Conservative Shadow Health Minister Russell George MS said: “The Chief Medical Officer’s confidence is encouraging news that shows the vaccine is working and weakening the link between infections and hospitalisations.”

Mr George said the statement “puts us one more step forward on the path to freedom”.