1 June 2020
Relaxation of Lockdown Measures is not a 'Green Light' to Return to Previous Way of Life, College Warns Patients
The College is urging patients to remain cautious following the publication of latest Government advice allowing shielded patients to go outdoors as long as social distancing rules are observed.
Professor Martin Marshall, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said:
"Shielded patients are feeling the greatest and most serious impact of lockdown, and this slight relaxation of restrictions could bring positive benefits for their mental, as well as physical, health.
"However, we would advise extreme caution, particularly for those who are in the most high-risk groups, such as our patients with cancer and serious long term conditions including respiratory and heart disease.
"The latest Government advice is just that - it is not a 'green light' allowing us to return to our previous way of life and there is a very real risk that all the good work we have achieved so far in the battle against COVID-19 could be very swiftly undone, with very serious consequences.
"We would encourage all our patients, but particularly those who are shielded, to remain vigilant and not to fall into unhealthy patterns of behaviour as a result of this latest stage in the easing of restrictions."
Further Information
RCGP Press office: 020 3188 7494/7633/7574/7575
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk
Notes
The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 53,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.