1.

Public Health
England

Guidance
COVID-19: guidance for
young people on
shielding and protecting
people most likely to
become unwell if they
catch coronavirus
Updated 18 August 2020
Contents
1. 1.What has changed
2. 2.Definition of clinically extremely vulnerable people
3. 3.Understanding the clinical risk to children and young people

1. What has changed

The government has updated its guidance for children, young people
and adults who are clinically extremely vulnerable and have been
shielding. It is advising that you do not need to shield at the moment
because coronavirus (COVID-19) disease levels in the community
have fallen since the peak of the pandemic in England.

COVID-19 is a new type of coronavirus that can cause serious

illness in some people. It can affect many parts of the body,
including the lungs, and therefore breathing. It can spread from
person to person by coughing or sneezing, or by touching surfaces
or areas of skin that have been contaminated by (come into contact
 with) the virus on other surfaces. The name COVID-19 comes from
coronavirus disease 2019, it was named in December 2019.

The guidance has changed because the government has changed

its advice on shielding and decided to stop it for now. The advice for
people who were shielding is now the same as the advice for those
who did not have to shield.

This means that:

 you do not need to follow previous shielding advice

 you can return to school or college full time from the beginning
of the autumn term. This applies whatever your family
circumstances or year group
 if you volunteer, or have a job, you can go to work as long as
the workplace is COVID-secure, but should carry on working from
home wherever possible
 you can go outside as much as you like and you can visit
places such as shops, community centres, places of worship,
libraries and cinemas. It is still important to practise social
distancing and to limit the number of people you interact with in line
with staying alert and safe: social distancing for young people
 you should continue to wash your hands carefully and more
often than usual with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use
hand sanitiser
 you will stop receiving free food parcels and medicine
deliveries from the National Shielding Service
This guidance has been written for young people in collaboration
with young people. More detail is provided in the all-ages version of
this guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically
extremely vulnerable. This includes information on:
 accessing volunteer support from your local authority
 accessing support from NHS Volunteer Responders
 what may happen if transmission of COVID-19 increases
 work and employment
 what happens if you are in an area where local lockdown
measures are in place
This guidance is government advice. This means that you can
decide if you want to follow it or not. You will not be breaking the law
if you do not follow the advice. However, everyone must follow
the guidance on staying alert and safe (social distancing). This
includes the possibility that you (or your parents) may be fined.
A version written in collaboration with young people for young people
is available, and it provides extra information on:
 looking after your wellbeing and keeping in contact with friends
and family
 returning to school, college or university
 advice for young carers
 getting the care that you need

The government regularly reviews this guidance. If this advice

changes, it will be updated. Your GP or specialist will also let you
know.

2. Definition of clinically
extremely vulnerable people
Some adults and young people have health conditions that mean
they may be more likely to become very unwell and might have to go
to hospital if they catch COVID-19. These people are described as
being clinically extremely vulnerable and include those who:
 have had a solid organ transplant – kidney, liver, pancreas,
heart or lung
 are having treatments for some cancers
 have severe long-term lung disease, including cystic fibrosis
and severe asthma
 have some rare diseases that increase their risk of infection
 are on medication that compromises their immune system and,
so, are much more likely to get infections and become seriously
unwell from them
 are pregnant and have significant heart disease
 other people who have also been classed as clinically
extremely vulnerable after their GP or hospital doctor has used their
clinical judgement to assess their individual needs. GPs and
hospital doctors have been provided with guidance to support these
decisions

This list of health conditions may change as more is understood

about the virus.

3. Understanding the clinical risk

to children and young people
Specialists in paediatric medicine have reviewed the evidence on the
level of risk posed to children and young people from COVID-19.
The latest evidence indicates that the risk of serious illness for most
children and young people is low.

Children and young people who have their health conditions

managed just by their GP are very unlikely to need to shield in the
future. This includes children and young people with conditions such
as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy and kidney disease.

A small group of children and young people who receive specialist

care in hospitals may still be considered clinically extremely
vulnerable following a consultation with their doctor. This includes
those receiving cancer care or those at risk of severe infection due
to an immunodeficiency.

The government is advising that all children and young people

currently identified as clinically extremely vulnerable do not need to
shield at the moment. Shielding has been paused for everyone.

If you are a young person currently identified as clinically extremely

vulnerable:
 all decisions on whether you should be removed from the
shielded patient list should be based on a consultation with your
paediatric specialist or your GP, who will be best placed to
determine the most appropriate care
 your paediatric specialist or your GP will be in touch to discuss
what the new evidence means for you personally in the longer term.
This discussion will take place before the new school term
 you do not need to make immediate contact with your GP or
paediatric specialist

If you are removed from the clinically extremely vulnerable patient

list, you will not be advised to shield again in future if COVID-19
transmission starts to increase significantly.