COVID-19: living with vulnerable people

A vulnerable person is deemed to be one of the following:

  • Someone who is over 70 years old
  • Someone who has a long-term health condition
  • Someone who is pregnant
  • Someone who has a weakened immune system

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, and are living with someone who has been categorised as a vulnerable person under the government’s COVID-19 advice, please take note of the following guidance:

If possible, try and arrange for them to stay with family/friends for 14 days – although it is appreciated that this might not always be possible. If you must stay at home together then follow the advice below:

Do:
  • Try to keep 2 metres away from each other
  • Avoid using shared spaces, such as kitchens or bathrooms at the same time as each other
  • Open windows in shared spaces
  • Clean a shared bathroom each time you use it, for example by wiping the surfaces you have touched
  • Use a dishwasher if you have one – if you do not have one, use washing-up liquid and warm water and dry everything thoroughly
Don’t:
  • Share a bed, if possible
  • Share towels, including hand towels and tea towels

Further guidance on shielding and protecting vulnerable people can be found here.

Remember, stay up to date with the latest NHS advice here.

Living with vulnerable people NHS guidance.