The one and half million people most at risk from coronavirus are being urged to stay at home ‘at all times’.

Communities minister Robert Jenrick said we have to go further and ‘shield the most clinically vulnerable people’ during a news conference alongside Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

He said: ‘The National Health Service will be contacting these people in the coming days urging them to stay at home for a period of at least 12 weeks.’

Children and adults already suffering from serious healthconditions face the highest risk of needing hospital treatment for Covid-19,the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said.

The Government has strongly advised people who fall into the high-risk categories to exercise ‘shielding’ measures by staying at home at all times and avoid any face-to-face contact for at least 12 weeks.

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Who is most at riskfrom coronavirus?

– Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radicalradiotherapy for lung cancer, as well as those with cancers of the blood orbone marrow who are at any stage of their treatment.

– People having immunotherapy or other continuing antibodytreatments for cancer.

– Those undergoing targeted cancer treatments which canaffect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors.

– People who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplantsin the past six months or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs.

– Those with respiratory conditions including severe asthma,severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis.

– Pregnant women who have significant heart disease.

The DHSC said people with rare diseases and inborn errors ofmetabolism that significantly increase infection are also classed as high-risk.

Shielding is a measure to protect people who are extremelyvulnerable to the disease by minimising all contact with others, the DHSC said.

The measures advise people not to leave their home, attendany gatherings, or go out for shopping.

When arranging food or medication deliveries, items shouldbe left at the door to minimise contact, the DHSC said.

People living with others in the same house are advised tokeep two metres away from each other, use separate bathrooms where possible,and separate towels.

Those affected should instead keep in contact with people using their phones, internet and social media.

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