Almost four million people in England will be told to stop shielding from April, as vaccine targets press ahead and lockdown restrictions are further eased.
Under the Prime Minister's lockdown roadmap to get life back to 'normal', vulnerable people will be allowed to meet in public outside of medical appointments and essential exercise.
It comes as latest figures show more than 29million people in the UK have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine - part of the biggest inoculation programme the country has ever launched.
In a race against a faster-spreading variant of the virus, around 3million people - the majority of whom are considered extremely vulnerable - have also been vaccinated so far.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed that vulnerable groups in England will no longer have to shield at home as of Thursday 1 April.
It will mean that anyone on the shielded patients list will no longer be eligible to receive statutory sick pay (SSP) or employment and support allowance (ESA) on the grounds of being advised to shield.
Since January 5, at least 3.7million clinically extremely vulnerable people in England have been advised to stay at home as often as physically possible to avoid contracting coronavirus.
This included advice to avoid shops and busy areas, as well as avoiding all contact with anyone outside household members or support bubbles.
Many were also told to avoid pharmacies, instead getting friends or family to pick up medication on their behalf.
These extended measures are now to due end, with England's Deputy Chief Medical officer Dr Jenny Harries confirming that shielding will come to a stop on April 1.
The change has been based on data showing a drop in transmission of Covid-19 and hospitalisations.
Vulnerable groups have received letters advising them of the change, and telling them that advice will remain in place to keep social contacts at low levels, keep a distance from others, and work from home where possible.
As with many other coronavirus restrictions, shielding guidance varies between the four nations, though Wales will be following England in advising that people can stop shielding from April 1.
Rules for shielders from April 1
While the rules are being relaxed in response to vaccination targets and the virus being under control, Covid is very much thriving, with much of Europe reporting new spikes in recent weeks.
This means when restrictions end for shielders, there will still be measures in place to help keep transmission under control - particularly in response to mutant strains.
This includes continuing to maintain "strict social distancing" and "to keep their overall social contacts at low levels, such as working from home where possible."
If previous shielders are unable to work from home, bosses must by law take steps to make workplaces Covid-19 secure and should discuss this with their employees.
Shielding advice is to stay at home, including for work and shopping purposes.
From April, vulnerable people be welcome to visit the supermarket again, but those who are still clinically at risk will be able to continue to access priority online supermarket delivery slots until June 21.
Other guidance includes sticking to a single support bubble and to stay two metres away from people even within their household.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England Dr Jenny Harries said: "Shielding has always been an advisory measure to safeguard those who are the most clinically vulnerable in our communities.
"We recognise how difficult this period has been for so many and the impact it has had on people’s wellbeing. With the prevalence of the virus in the community continuing to decrease now is the right time for people to start thinking about easing up on these more rigid guidelines."
