Council staff in push to support shielded people in Moray
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MORAY Council launched a "big push" last week to contact local people required to shield during the coronavirus pandemic.
Scottish Government letters were sent in March to people considered to need shielding, who include those at most risk from COVID-19.
They are entitled, as part of Scottish Government support, to free grocery packs, priority supermarket delivery slots and priority prescription deliveries.
At a meeting of Moray Council emergency cabinet on Thursday, May 21, councillors were told that 56 per cent of the identified shielded people throughout Moray and Aberdeenshire have now received follow-up contact by council staff.
More people are being added to the shielded list each week, however, and a "big push" was being launched last week to contact the majority of those remaining.
As well as issuing letters offering support, council staff are working with the Grampian Coronavirus Assistance Hub to make telephone contact with individuals to establish a clear picture of those who require ongoing support.
Everyone identified as requiring to shield is entitled to food boxes, but they must register for the service, which can be done through the text messaging service detailed on shielding letters or through the Grampian Coronavirus Assistance Hub.
Councillors were told: "We are also offering top-up parcels of fresh food items in Moray. These are only for those who we've identified as requiring that support through the benefits system."
