The safest option for ‘Clinically Extremely Vulnerable’ people is not to form a Christmas bubble over the festive period.
The Department of Health has just updated the advice to those people to help them keep safe.
It says that Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people are reminded to consider very carefully any plans for a Christmas bubble.
“Unfortunately you remain extremely vulnerable to this virus and the safest options is not to form a Christmas bubble and avoid attending shops, pharmacies and hospitality settings unless absolutely necessary.
“If you do decide that you wish to meet with family this should be for as short a time as possible with very strict precautions,” it said in a statement.
The advice in relation to Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people attending the workplace has also been changed.
Until now, they had been advised that they should work from home if possible, but that it is safe to attend work if proper measures to ensure social distancing are in place.
However, from 26 December Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people who are working and are unable to do so from home are advised not to attend the workplace.
It is important to note that this is advice only – people are free to make their own judgements about whether or not they should attend work.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said the new variant of the virus, coupled with the pressure that the HSC services are experiencing, mean that the risks associated with COVID-19 are elevated.
“This strengthened advice is intended to offer enhanced protection from COVID-19 to the most vulnerable people in our society. It is not a return to shielding as we knew it at the outset of the pandemic. We are not advising CEV people to stay permanently indoors, and I would encourage CEV people to continue to go outside for exercise, provided they observe social distancing when they do so,” he said.
This advice will be in place for six weeks initially, with a review after four weeks.