Shielding Blackpool grandfather tells of plan to take tentative but scary first step out

Steve Burton, from Blackpool, had been shielding for more than 10 weeks prior to the rule change announced at the weekend.

A grandfather who has not left his home for more than two months for fear of catching coronavirus said that while the thought of going out is “absolutely terrifying” he will take his first tentative steps beyond his garden as guidance to people shielding is eased.

Steve Burton has remained at his Blackpool home since March 16, but plans to take a short walk to the park with his wife on Monday, after the Government issued new guidance to the 2.2 million people in England who are classed as “extremely vulnerable”.

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He told the PA news agency: “Regardless if someone’s 60 foot away or six metres away I think I’ll move.

“So, yeah, I think every potential person I see out there will be a carrier of deadly Covid, regardless of whether they’re completely healthy or not.”

He added: “Maybe it’s time that we take that tentative step, but it’s a scary one.”

Mr Burton said he had been shocked when the new advice was announced late on Saturday, after being advised so strongly for months not to leave his house.

He said: “You think, well that’s a bit strange, because obviously we’re shielded until June 30, and not only have we had the official letter telling us that, but you then get weekly texts, saying do not go out until the end of June, so you don’t really know what’s true or false.