Advice for individuals who are shielding is set to change in Scotland. The Scottish Government is making plans to pause shielding from 1 August 2020, provided evidence supports that it is safe to do so. Whether infection levels are low enough for shielding to be paused from 1 August 2020 will be announced before the end of July 2020.
Starting on 10 July 2020, individuals who are shielding will no longer need to maintain physical distance from the people they live with. Individuals will also be allowed to meet in groups of up to eight from two other households in a single day in outdoor settings, subject to maintenance of stringent hand hygiene and physical distancing.
Those shielding will now be able to travel further than 5 miles from their residence, book self-catering accommodation which does not have shared facilities, and use toilets in other people’s homes if they are meeting outdoors.
Furthermore, an 'extended household group' can be formed with one other household that is shielding, enabling the group to visit one other indoors and stay overnight without having to maintain physical distancing.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: "The implications of shielding have been enormous for every person affected. I know how hard it has been for those shielding, and their loved ones, and I do not want to ask anyone to live under those restrictions longer than they have to."
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