04 January 2021

Scotland - new Covid-19 regulations come into effect on 5 January

The First Minster has announced that from midnight tonight there will be a legal requirement to stay at home except for essential purposes.  These new restrictions will stay in place until the end of January.

Examples of essential purposes have been published and include

• for healthcare
• for essential services
• for essential retail

This includes primary eye care and community audiology services.

The Dentistry and Optometry Division, Directorate of Primary Care has said “Following the First Minister’s statement in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, the Scottish Government will shortly be issuing a PCA providing further information for the optometry sector. In the meantime, all optometry practices are reminded that they must remain open, continue to scrupulously follow all relevant Infection Prevention and Control measures and guidance, and continue to prioritise emergency and essential care and those patients who are at greatest risk of detriment to sight or wellbeing.”

Optometry Scotland (OS) has confirmed that it is in discussions with the Scottish Government and at this stage advised practices to remain open and continue to provide services as per PCA(O)(2020)12. OS will provide further updates as soon as possible.