As new lockdown restrictions are introduced into England, guidance for the nation has been updated for the ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’. A small number of people in the TSC community fall into this category.

Those identified as ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ will receive a letter that looks like this from the UK Government, providing further details on the updated guidance and on how to access the support available to them.

Those considered ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ to the worst effects of covid-19 are advised to:

• Stay at home at all times, unless for exercise or medical appointments
• Not go to work if they cannot work from home (you may find the TSA’s latest ‘Letter to employers‘ useful to explain your situation to them)
• Allow people in the same household to enter their usual workplace in-line with the national restrictions
• Allow school children who previously self-isolated to still attend school, unless informed otherwise by a medical professional

You may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay, Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme during this period of national measures. However, it is currently not clear from the guidance what the criteria for accessing the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be during the second lockdown.

If you are being affected by the challenges of keeping in touch with a loved one who is in residential care, remember that the TSA Support Line is here for you: 0808 801 0700 / support@tuberous-sclerosis.org.