In Focus: A world turned upside down

Blind and partially sighted people are increasingly anxious about going outside as lockdown eases, according to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

The charity said that the independence of people living with a visual impairment is increasingly under threat and social distancing has made it nearly impossible to navigate safely.

It shared that visually impaired people rely on others to maintain a safe distance but an RNIB poll found that 44% of the public have broken social distancing rules. As a result, 66% of blind and partially sighted people feel less independent than before lockdown. Additionally, 80% of respondents said the way they shop has changed with half as many continuing to shop independently.