Vulnerable people told to avoid unvaccinated people after July 19th as part of updated guidance

As July 19th and the lifting of the final Covid-19 restrictions loom, those living with existing illnesses and disabilities have been warned to ‘avoid unvaccinated people.’

While the majority of Brits can’t wait for the return of normality next week, many have been voicing their concerns over the effects the easing of restrictions will have on those who are vulnerable and living with existing illnesses or disabilities.

While Covid has proven to be mild for the majority of the population, the virus can bring with it a whole array of health complications for this demographic of people – health.org found that six out of ten people to die from Covid were disabled.

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Here in Greater Manchester alone, 521,314 people are disabled or living with a debilitating illness of some sort – that’s 19% of the population, according to the Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People (GMCDP).

Well, that 19% – along with the other 3.7 million people classified as vulnerable across the UK – have now been issued a new series of guidelines to abide by after July 19th along with a firm warning: avoid those who haven’t been vaccinated.

Aimed at that particular group, which includes those with cancer and respiratory diseases, the new government advice states: “As someone who is at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill if you were to catch Covid-19, you may wish to think particularly carefully about additional precautions you might wish to continue to take.”

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It suggests meeting outdoors wherever possible to reduce the risk of airborne transmission and ensuring that indoor spaces are well ventilated. Other measures suggested in the guidance include ‘considering whether you and those you are meeting have been vaccinated,’ as well as ‘asking friends and family to take a lateral flow test before visiting you.’

And, in terms of going shopping, those who are most at risk will be advised to simply go ‘at quieter times of the day.’

Following backlash to the new guidelines, Health Secretary Sajid Javid defended the move but said the policy would be ‘kept under review,’ noting that the government was publishing a ‘safe and gradual’ set of guidelines.

He said: “It includes details of how we will encourage businesses and large events to use certification in high-risk settings to limit the risk of spreading the infection, how we will use guidance for the clinically extremely vulnerable and details of a review we will be conducting in September to assess our preparedness for autumn and winter.”