How to protect yourself and others
Last updated: 26 March at 10:40
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Shielding and protecting extremely vulnerable people
If you are classed as someone who is extremely vulnerable to coronavirus, you will be contacted directly by NHS England.
You must stay at home at all times and avoid face-to-face contact for at least 12 weeks from the date you are contacted.
People in this group include:
- solid organ transplant recipients
- people with specific cancers
- people with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD
- people with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections
- people on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection
- women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired
You can read full guidance for people who are extremely medically vulnerable to coronavirus on GOV.UK.
Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus
This includes people of all ages – even if you do not have any symptoms or other health conditions.
You can only leave your home:
- to shop for basic essentials – but only when you really need to
- to do one form of exercise a day – such as a run, walk or cycle, alone or with other people you live with
- for any medical need – for example, to visit a pharmacy or deliver essential supplies to a vulnerable person
- to travel to and from work – but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home
When outside your home you must stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people. You should wash your hands as soon as you return home.
The police, and other authorities, have the power to enforce these rules. They may issue you with a fine if you do not comply.