The Government has said people with serious underlying health conditions must stay home for 12 weeks.
Those who "face the highest risk of being hospitalised by coronavirus” include people with severe respiratory conditions, such as asthma.
To help prevent the spread of the virus the NHS has shared new advice for those most vulnerable a warning to those most at risk to stay home.
It comes after the government said an estimated 1.4million people who are most 'at risk' from severe coronavirus will be sent a text message or letter advising them to stop all social contact.
Social distancing should start for the most vulnerable people should take place for 12 weeks starting today, Health secretary Matt Hancock said.
Below is a full list of all those advised to stay home.
The high-risk group
1. Solid organ transplant recipients
2. People with specific cancers: people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy for lung cancer, people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment, people having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer, people having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors, people who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs
3. People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD.
4. People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell).
5. People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection.
Individuals who have been given a prognosis of less than six months to live, and some others in special circumstances, could decide not to undertake shielding. The advice is for these people to consult their GP or healthcare workers for advice.
The NHS is directly contacting people with these conditions to provide further advice.
If you think you fall into one of the categories of extremely vulnerable people listed above and you have not received a letter by Sunday, March 29 or been contacted by your GP, you should discuss your concerns with your GP or hospital clinician.
The measures
The measures set out in the guidance are:
· Strictly avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (Covid-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough.
· Do not leave your house.
· Do not attend any gatherings. This includes gatherings of friends and families in private spaces for example family homes, weddings and religious services.
· Do not go out for shopping, leisure or travel and, when arranging food or medication deliveries, these should be left at the door to minimise contact.
· Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media.
· Do use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services.
A statement on the Government website about shielding reads: "You are strongly advised to stay at home at all times and avoid any face-to-face contact for a period of at least 12 weeks from the day you receive your letter.
"Please note that this period of time could change.
"Visits from people who provide essential support to you such as healthcare, personal support with your daily needs or social care should continue, but carers and care workers must stay away if they have any of the symptoms of coronavirus (Covid-19).
"All people coming to your home should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds on arrival to your house and often whilst they are there.
"You should have an alternative list of people who can help you with your care if your main carer becomes unwell. You can also contact your local council for advice on how to access care.
"If you have someone else living with you, they are not required to adopt these protective shielding measures for themselves.
"They should do what they can to support you in shielding and they should stringently follow guidance on social distancing, reducing their contact outside the home.
"If you care for but don’t actually live with someone who is extremely vulnerable you should still stringently follow guidance on social distancing.
"We know that stopping these activities will be difficult. You should try to identify ways of staying in touch with others and participating in your normal activities remotely from your home.
"However, you must not participate in alternative activities if they involve any contact with other people."
