Keeping Yourself Safe

COVID-19: guidance for people whose immune system means they are at higher risk.

If you have been advised by the NHS that you are in one of these groups, we advise you to:

• ensure you have had all of the vaccines you are eligible to receive

• continue to follow any condition-specific advice you may have been given by your specialist

The following advice on 'keeping yourself safe' is aimed at adults. Children and young people can continue to attend education settings unless their clinician has advised otherwise.

We recommend that you avoid meeting with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 (and anyone in their household) until 10 days after they received a positive test. Try to avoid people who have symptoms of COVID-19 or other respiratory infections and have a temperature or feel unwell.

If you have visitors to your home, ventilate your home by opening windows and doors to let fresh air in and consider asking visitors to exercise precautionary behaviours such as keeping their distance. Tests are no longer free for the general public, but you can ask visitors to take a rapid lateral flow test before visiting if you wish. You might also consider asking them to wear a face covering and want to wear a face covering yourself.

If it feels right for you, work from home if you can. If you cannot work from home, speak to your employer about what arrangements they can make to reduce your risk. It may be that you are entitled to a Reasonable Adjustment under the Equality Act . See Public health principles for reducing the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections in the workplace .

When out and about, keep social distancing if that feels right for you, and consider reducing the time you spend in enclosed crowded spaces. Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face.

Consider continuing to wear a face covering in crowded public spaces. Although face coverings are primarily worn to protect others, because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main sources of emission of the virus that causes COVID-19 infection, they can also provide some limited protection to the wearer.

If you are too ill to work, you may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay .

This is an extract from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-people-whose-immune-system-means-they-are-at-higher-risk/covid-19-guidance-for-people-whose-immune-system-means-they-are-at-higher-risk