FROM tomorrow (Thursday), around four million of the most clinically vulnerable people in England and Wales will no longer need to shield at home.

The Government is still recommending them to keep social contacts to a minimum, work from home if possible and maintain their distance from others.

The easing of the existing restrictions come as Covid cases fall and the number of patients with the virus in hospital falls.

The extremely vulnerable due to health conditions had been advised to follow strict rules to avoid catching coronavirus as they would be more likely to become seriously ill.

Among those in the group are people who have had stem cell transplants or are having chemotherapy treatment for cancer, and adults with chronic kidney disease.

They were offered priority vaccination ahead of the general population.