Covid: Keeping you updated 12

NHS England has said that, as from June 15, 2020, ‘routine’ services in England can be resumed. As I write this (June 22), the College of Optometrists (CoO) has now listed Wales as also being in the amber phase of the pandemic. The CoO has also a useful guide to what the amber phase means for eye care practice, and is well worth a look.¹ Importantly, ‘patients should be prioritised based on their need, and triaged remotely first. This would include, assessing their risk of developing eye disease, as well as their risk related to Covid-19 infection. Optometrists can recall, or see, asymptomatic patients if capacity permits.’ Obviously, guidance regarding minimising infection (PPE, distancing, sterilisation) needs to be adhered to if a second spike is to be avoided.