Opticians can ask patients to wear face coverings

Optical practices can ask patients who come in to wear a face covering voluntarily unless they are exempt, the College of Optometrists has confirmed.

It noted that the government’s regulations that listed opticians as exempt means it won’t be possible to legally enforce the wearing of face coverings.

Daniel Hardiman-McCartney, clinical advisor at the College, said: ‘We recommend practices encourage their patients to wear face coverings unless the patient has an acceptable reason resulting in an exemption.’

He added that practitioners can request that a patient removes their face covering for any part of an eye examination where it affects their ability to perform the consultation.