Support 110 years of independent journalism.

  1. Science & Tech
  2. Coronavirus
5 May 2020updated 06 Oct 2020 9:45am

Government may ask over 70s to decide whether they are vulnerable or not, minister says

By Samuel Horti

Healthy people over 70s will be treated differently to other elderly people in upcoming government guidance, according to a report.

The guidelines for over 70s has changed multiple times during the pandemic: initially, anyone over 70 was told to be “particularly stringent in following social distancing measures”. Later, fresh guidance said all over 70s were in the “clinically vulnerable” group, and should try to ensure minimal contact with others, but then Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that not every person over 70 was included in that group.

One minister told the Telegraph that the over 70s group “is going to morph”.

“There is a big difference between the 1.5 million ‘shielded’ people, known as extremely critically vulnerable, who have been sent a letter advising them to shield for 12 weeks, vulnerable people with pre-existing health conditions of any age, and healthy over 70s,” they said. “This needs to be made clearer – you can’t just have a blanket over 70s group. That’s unsustainable. It’s not a static group.”

Over 70s will “self-select” whether they are vulnerable or not going forward, they said. “The over 70s are a very sensible group – by and large, they know if they should be staying indoors or not.”

Select and enter your email address Your new guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture each weekend - from the New Statesman. A quick and essential guide to domestic politics from the New Statesman's Westminster team. A weekly newsletter helping you understand the global economic slowdown. The New Statesman’s weekly environment email. Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates.
  • Administration / Office
  • Arts and Culture
  • Board Member
  • Business / Corporate Services
  • Client / Customer Services
  • Communications
  • Construction, Works, Engineering
  • Education, Curriculum and Teaching
  • Environment, Conservation and NRM
  • Facility / Grounds Management and Maintenance
  • Finance Management
  • Health - Medical and Nursing Management
  • HR, Training and Organisational Development
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Information Services, Statistics, Records, Archives
  • Infrastructure Management - Transport, Utilities
  • Legal Officers and Practitioners
  • Librarians and Library Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • OH&S, Risk Management
  • Operations Management
  • Planning, Policy, Strategy
  • Printing, Design, Publishing, Web
  • Projects, Programs and Advisors
  • Property, Assets and Fleet Management
  • Public Relations and Media
  • Purchasing and Procurement
  • Quality Management
  • Science and Technical Research and Development
  • Security and Law Enforcement
  • Service Delivery
  • Sport and Recreation
  • Travel, Accommodation, Tourism
  • Wellbeing, Community / Social Services
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

 

Content from our partners
How trailblazers are using smart meters to make the move to net zero
How heat network integration underpins "London's most sustainable building"
How placemaking can drive productivity in cities – with PwC