The Government's shielding guidance comes to an end today (July 31) and this could bring big changes to daily life for the many people in Kent told to stay indoors to protect themselves from the virus.
The new advice from government means that free food parcels offered to shielded people will stop from 1 August.
The Kent Resilience Forum has issued the following advice for anyone who is worried about these changes;
Priority slots for online shopping are still available at all participating supermarkets. If you are able to register for these deliveries do this as soon as you can.
If you cannot shop online, contact family and friends and neighbourhood schemes to tell them that you may still need help to get food or to collect prescriptions.
If you still need support then you can access this through the Kent Together helpline at www.kent.gov.uk/kenttogether or on 03000 41 92 92.
You may still be at risk of severe illness if you catch Coronavirus, so stay at home as much as you can and continue to take precautions when you do go out. You can do this by washing your hands regularly, avoiding touching your face and keeping 2 metres away from people outside of your household or bubble wherever possible.
It has never been more important than now for everyone in Kent and Medway to take the necessary steps to reduce the spread of Coronavirus. The Protect Kent and Medway campaign sets out the vital steps we must all now take to help local authorities, health and social care teams to deal with potential future outbreaks.
From 1 August, the government has advised that you can go out to more places and see more people, for example, the advice is:
you can go to work, as long as the workplace is COVID-secure – but carry on working from home if you can
children who are clinically extremely vulnerable can go back to school (when the rest of their class goes back)
you can go outside to buy food, to places of worship and for exercise – keeping 2 meters away wherever possible
We continue to work with national government, local authorities, the voluntary and community sector, the NHS and other partners to ensure help is at hand for those that need it most. Play your part to protect Kent and Medway.
for more information on the Protect Kent and Medway campaign visit: https://www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/coronavirus/protect-kent.