COVID-19: Return to Green phase
12 May 2022
As of Tuesday 10 May, each of the four nations in the UK have moved from the amber to the green phase of The College of Optometrists’ COVID-19 classification system.
This phase sees us enter a ‘new normal’ and incorporates the good practice established over the past two years to ensure patient and public safety. ‘Living with COVID-19’, the Government’s current strategy, does not mean a return to practice and business as it was before the pandemic.
The following measures will continue to apply, as outlined by the College:
· Universal masking. All staff should continue to wear a fluid-resistant face mask. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recommend that all people/patients visiting health care settings should continue to be recommended to use a face covering.
· Regular asymptomatic lateral flow device testing, as recommended by each nation’s health system.
· Maintaining high standards of IPC procedures, including good hand hygiene, decontaminating equipment after use or contact with a patient and keeping up to date with the recommended immunisations.
· A mechanism is in place to enable people with symptoms of respiratory infection to postpone their eye care unless it is urgent or an emergency.
Please read the following guidance and advice:
· The College of Optometrists’ updated Guidance for Professional Practice
· The Association of British Dispensing Opticians’ latest COVID-19 advice
· GOC COVID-19 statements which will also continue to apply where it is marked that they do so in the green phase.
All guidance and statements should be read alongside nation specific guidance which you can find on the GOC COVID-19 page.
The college of optometrists have created some informative videos for members which we encourage you to watch.
Buckinghamshire LOC Latest News
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