Matt Hancock promises update on coronavirus shielding 'very soon'

Charities had called for clarity after confusion about when scheme in England would end

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An announcement on a possible end to the coronavirus shielding programme in England will come very soon", the UK health secretary, Matt Hancock, has said, after healthcare charities called for clarity on the government's plans.

The scheme affects roughly 2.2 million clinically extremely vulnerable" people, a category that includes those who have had transplants, are having certain cancer treatments, have severe lung conditions or have immune systems that are particularly vulnerable to infection.