No. We’re not advising you to stop going outside, which we know is good for mental and physical health. You should stay at home as much as possible but you can still go out for exercise and essential shopping or medicines.

No. We are not advising people to start shielding again. It is important to strictly follow the protection level guidance for your area and maintain regular hand washing, physical distancing and face coverings.
If you are in the highest protection level 4 and during this lockdown, we are advising you to take some extra precautions to ensure your safety. This includes:
• Minimise contact with people outside your own household
• You should not take public transport, including taxis
• Strictly follow the guidelines when shopping and limiting the number of times you go to a shop
• Shop at quieter times
• Children on the shielding list should not attend school or college in person

These measures are currently in place until the end of January, but this will be reviewed in two weeks.

You should follow the updated advice and only work from home. Employers should make sure their staff can work from home if possible. If you cannot work from home, you should not go into your work place.

Receiving the letter from the Chief Medical Officer of 5 January 2021 does not automatically mean you need to stay off work. This can only be used if you cannot work from home.

All you need to do is show them this letter, which serves as a fit note, and is called your Shielding Notification. You do not need a separate fit note from your GP.

If you are a young person between the ages of 16 and 17 and working, and you cannot work at home, we will arrange for a letter to be sent to you. This letter will act as a fit note which you should show to your employer.

If you cannot work from home, your employer may be able to furlough you through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. The scheme will continue until April 2021. If your employer furloughs you, you will stay off work but get at least 80% of your normal salary. Your employer will also keep paying your National Insurance and pension contributions.

If your employer cannot furlough you, you may be able to get Statutory Sick Pay, Universal Credit, or other benefits. To find out what benefits you can get, speak to your employer, visit GOV.UK, or contact Citizens Advice Scotland. 

You should also ask your employer if they can offer any financial support if you cannot work.

The Job Retention Scheme (furlough) does not cover you if you are self-employed. Instead, find out if you can get support from the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme at GOV.UK.

Follow the advice for the general population, which you can find on the Parent Club website. You should only use or provide informal childcare (babysitters, nannies, and care by family or friends) if there is no other option. Only children should enter the home of another household.