Face mask recommendation

It is recommended that staff in optical practices should now wear face coverings to protect patients, colleagues and themselves, following a government announcement.

Advice was issued on September 22 to all staff in hospitality and retail to wear face coverings, but optical practices were not specifically mentioned.

However, the College of Optometrists recommended all staff should wear a fluid resistant surgical mask to protect patients, colleagues and themselves, even if they are working behind a screen.

It applied to all four UK nations and was backed by the Association of British Dispensing Opticians and the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians.