Millions of people have been sheilding throughout the coronavirus lockdown in the UK.
Those who are identified as clinically extremely vulnerable, and at high risk of serious illness if they catch the virus, were advised to stay home and limit contact as much as possible in March.
At the start of July, the rules were relaxed slightly to allow people shielding to spend time outdoors and meet up with people from other households.
And nearly five months later, the rules are set to change even further on Saturday, August 1.
However, on Thursday evening it was announced that Greater Manchester and parts of east Lancashire and West Yorkshire are subject to tougher restrictions following a spike in coronavirus cases.
Following latest developments in northern parts of England, people have been worried this may not go ahead.
During a Downing Street press briefing on Friday, Boris Johnson confirmed that shielding would still be paused based on clinical advice with more guidance to released in due course.
As for in the new lockdown areas, the government still says that clinically extremely vulnerable people will no longer have to follow the shielding guidance from August 1.
It adds that extremely clinically vulnerable people who have stayed at home to protect themselves from Covid-19 are allowed to return to work.
However, this doesn't apply if they live in Blackburn with Darwen in the north-west and other local affected areas across England where shielding continues.
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