09 May 2022

Covid update - 6 May

Confirmed move to green on 10 May

The College of Optometrists has confirmed that health systems across the UK support moving to the College's 'Green' phase from Tuesday 10 May.

Key messages from the College are:

• The GOC amber phase easements will not apply from 10 May
• Cease Covid-19 specific decontamination protocols
• Cease performing Covid-19 modified eye examinations but continue providing a needs-led examination
• Physical distancing is no longer a requirement in primary eye care settings in England and Scotland. Changes to physical distancing guidance in NI and Wales are pending
• You should revert to following the College Guidance for Professional Practice and your nation's IPC guidance for healthcare settings.

The College also reminds the sector that living with Covid will mean some measures continue to apply. These include:

• Practice staff should continue to wear a fluid-resistant face mask
• Face coverings should continue to be recommended to service users
• Following country-specific lateral flow testing guidance.

Read the full College advice. 

Northern Ireland - Covid testing and isolation guidance

The NI Department of Health has updated guidance on testing and isolation for healthcare providers. From 4 May, staff with symptoms of Covid-19 should take an LFD test instead of a PCR. It also confirms that staff in patient-facing roles should continue to test twice weekly using LFDs. The guidance also explains what to do if you test positive for Covid-19 or have symptoms but test negative. Read the complete guidance.