The Government has extended shielding for the clinically extremely vulnerable to Wednesday 31 March.

Even if residents have had both vaccination doses, they should continue to follow shielding measures.

Meanwhile, a new system has been introduced in England to help clinicians identify an additional group of people who may be at high risk from Covid-19. These people have therefore been added to the shielding list.

Anyone added to this list will be notified by a letter from the Government and advised to stay at home as much as possible until 31 March. They will however still be able to go outside to exercise or to attend health appointments.

For anyone who has been shielding for a long time and is in need of support, help is available at www.oldham.gov.uk/shielding.

This also applies to those new to shielding who may also need support and advice. The Council should send a letter to these people and providing them with support at what is a difficult time.