16 July 2021

Covid update - 16 July

As UK governments ease Covid-19 restrictions, members are reminded that all healthcare providers should continue to follow existing IPC and PPE guidance.

Please note:

• In England, the government will lift Covid-19 restrictions from 19 July. It has also said face coverings will become optional in most settings. The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges warns that the pandemic is not over, and NHS England has also advised patients to continue to use face coverings, including in primary eye care settings. FODO, along with optical sector partners, has produced this guidance for all members in England

• Northern Ireland is keeping Covid-19 restrictions under review.

• Scotland will move to level zero of Covid restrictions on 19 July, but mandatory face coverings will remain in place.

• In Wales, the government plans to move to alert level zero from 7 August. However, face coverings will remain a legal requirement.

To support members in managing patient and customer expectations about the use of face coverings, FODO has produced these posters, which are free to use.

• Poster one
• Poster two