A mother of a four year old son who has shielded for 18 months has spoke out about the difficulties she's faced.
Dalila Tremarias, 34, from Cardiff thought she would finally be able to visit her family and friends this Christmas after being double vaccinated.
Unfortunately, she now has to carry on shielding until further guidance after news of the new Omicron wave emerged.
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Dalila said: "For 18 months, I have had to isolate and try avoid people all the time. It's really hard to do when you're in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. Its challenging staying stuck in the house all the time but I have to stay indoors until we know more about the new variant."
Dalila has a condition known as Lupus, where the immune system attacks healthy parts of your body, causing joint pain, rashes and extreme tiredness.
She is worried about the lack of information surrounding the new variant about how it may affect her and how contagious is.
She said: "My condition makes me prone to infections and increases my risk for severe COVID-19.
"I had to stay home during lockdown for the whole of 2020. I only went out to see my GP, go to the hospital and for one walk with my son. It's crazy being in the house for so long.
"We have had to wait until 2021 for me to have the vaccine at the start of the year.
"I had my second one in March but had to wait eight weeks for my body to develop the antibodies to fight against COVID so didn't go out until June.
"Even though I have the antibodies, I have very few compared to the general population so I'm not sure how much protection I was actually having - I remember seeing studies in America saying we were still high risk and to keep precautions at the time."
Dalila will now have to shield again until it's time to get her booster jab.
She said: "All this time I have been facing uncertainty. I know I'm protected with the jab but not the same as general population. So even when I get this booster - how much protection do I really have?"
"It's just crazy to be in the house for so long. I have a child and it's hard for him to stay indoors for long periods of time as well.
"After the first two doses, I felt really confident and that the vaccines were working. Obviously now we have these new variants, we don't know how well it protects or affects me, with this condition. I don't know how contagious it is."
Dalila has been home-schooling her four-year-old son since the pandemic and admits it has been difficult for both of them.
She said: "I have to teach him the alphabet and how to read. I'm doing all that and it can be difficult as teaching is something I didn't know how to do.
"He doesn't go to school or mix with anyone other than me and my partner. I take him to the park and outdoors when it is quiet and there isn't many people about.
"He is still getting the normal development he needs physically and mentally but obviously there is a social side..."
Dalila added it is stressful knowing he's missing out on interacting with other children.
"A child is like a blank page and they develop their own personality. I am trying to still teach him things and he is learning and growing. But clearly it is in a different way than his peers.
"It's horrible knowing he's missing out on that - especially when I don't know how long we are going to shield and when it will all end.
"I wish he could play with other children, but right now we need to wait for more information about the variant and vaccine to be out and then can decide on a plan. "
Dalila said mentally, shielding has 'been a really big challenge.'
She said: "Before this, I had a completely different life and could go outside, despite my condition.
"Then the pandemic happened and my life changed completely. I've had to build a new lifestyle and routine from scratch - so has my child.
"Then there's the uncertainty of how much protection I have and mixing with other people.
"With this third wave, it just feels so overwhelming yet I have to keep listening and taking precautions because I need to stay safe.
"I already have a long term condition which needs to be managed. It's not helpful to feel too much distress because there's the risk of my condition flaring because of that.
"So even though I feel stressed, I have to be careful not to flare up because I will need to go to hospital.
"My whole life has been made different and challenging because of Covid."
Dalila can no longer visit her family and friends this Christmas.
She said: "I've had to get in touch with my family and friends and see what times they are available for a Zoom call this Christmas.
"At least it is still some form of interaction and much better than seeing no one. In my position, I've learnt that social interaction is very important for your emotional health.
"You need positive interactions around you - especially when everything else is so negative."
However, Dalila is feeling positive and believes she won't be trapped indoors for too long.
She said: "We have vaccines, treatments and scientists are working on things. Compared to the beginning of last year,we didn't have any of this - I think we are in a much better position.
"Although it was difficult for a while last year, in my area, my own neighbours have volunteered to get my medication and I have been lucky to find supermarket slots.
"I'm in touch with so many charities such as Kidney Care UK, RAIRDA and Lupus UK who have provided me with so much daily guidance about the virus, protection, vaccination, treatments. There's helplines available and they were even providing grants.
"Its wonderful knowing there is always someone I can talk to or ask them to explain any guidance or information. During this pandemic, there have been so many challenges, especially for high-risk people like me so I really appreciate their support."
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