The government is today asking people with certain conditions not to leave their homes for 12 weeks. 

Advice for the extremely vulnerable was changed last night.

It says it is writing to those impacted, and that they are 'strongly advised to stay at home at all times and avoid face-to-face contact for a period of 12 weeks.'

Who is classed as extremely vulnerable?

  • Solid organ transplant recipients
  • People with specific cancers: people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy for lung cancer people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment
  • People having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer people having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors
  • People who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs 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 (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell).
  • People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection.
  • Women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired.

The guidance says visits from those providing essential support will still be continued, but carers will need to stay away if they have any symptoms of Covid-19. 

It says that should your main carer become unwell, you will need to make a list of other people who can help you - or contact your local authority if you need assistance.