When does shielding end? Latest government advice for vulnerable people in England as coronavirus lockdown eases from 4 July

Matt Hancock has promised that the government will provide details on the ending of the shielding programme (Shutterstock)

Since the beginning of March, 2.2m people in England particularly vulnerable to coronavirus have been required to ‘shield' from the rest of society, though some measures were loosened earlier this month.

But the Health Secretary has hinted that those isolated will be provided an indication of when they can begin interacting with others in the near future.

When will shielding end in England?

Long after the initially predicted 12-week period, vulnerable people are still being advised to shield.

But when will shielding come to an end?

The Government recently announced those who have been self-isolating in England during the pandemic will no longer need to shield from 1 August.

That means they can return to work if they can't work from home, as long as their workplace is ‘Covid secure’.

However, they should still follow social distancing guidelines when outside their homes and wash their hands regularly to reduce the risk of being infected.

What are shielding rules in England?

The current rules for those in the shielding category in England are as follows according to the government website.

1. If you wish to spend time outdoors (though not in other buildings, households, or enclosed spaces) you should take extra care to minimise contact with others by keeping 2 metres apart.

2. If you choose to spend time outdoors, this can be with members of your own household. If you live alone, you can spend time outdoors with one person from another household (ideally the same person each time).

3. You should stay alert when leaving home: washing your hands regularly, maintaining social distance and avoiding gatherings of any size.

4. You should not attend any gatherings, including gatherings of friends and families in private spaces, for example, parties, weddings and religious services.

5. You should strictly avoid contact with anyone who is displaying symptoms of COVID-19 (a new continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss of, or change in, your sense of taste or smell).