20 August 2021

Covid update - 20 August

Self-isolation for health care workers 

Following the advice in our newsletter on Friday 13 August, NHS England has clarified that the relaxation of self-isolation requirements for asymptomatic double vaccinated staff (who meet the conditions below) does NOT apply to individuals living in the same household with a positive contact. They will continue to need to isolate in line with government guidance. The same applies in Northern Ireland.
 
We are still awaiting confirmation from Scotland and Wales (expected early next week) but would advise erring on the side of caution. The College of Optometrists will be issuing an updated FAQ about this next week once the guidance in all four nations is known.
 
In the meantime, we have updated our FODO guidance for the four UK nations:
 
England: Those who are fully vaccinated (with a minimum of 14 days after the second dose) will be exempt from self-isolation if they are advised that they have been in close contact with a positive Covid-19 case. 
 
Scotland: People who are fully vaccinated (with a minimum of 14 days after the second dose) and those under 18 years old are exempt from self-isolation if they are advised that they have been in close contact with a positive Covid-19 case. They must also have had a negative PCR test result.
 
Wales: Fully vaccinated adults (with a minimum of 14 days after the second dose) and those under 18 years old are exempt from self-isolation if they are advised that they have been in close contact with a positive Covid-19 case. 
 
Northern Ireland: Those who are fully vaccinated (with a minimum of 14 days after the second dose) will be exempt from self-isolation if they are advised that they have been in close contact with a positive Covid-19 case. They are still advised to take an additional PCR Covid test on days two and eight of the process. If the result is positive, they will need to self-isolate.
 
Provided they are not living in the same household with a positive contact, individuals meeting the above criteria can end isolation and return to work as long as they follow infection prevention and control procedures in line with the College of Optometrists' Amber Phase guidance. If people live in the same household with a positive contact, they should continue to isolate themselves according to government guidance.
 
We continue to advise members to check your national government website regularly for the latest local information.

Mandatory Covid Vaccination of Care Home Staff in England 
 
NHS England has issued advice and FAQs explaining that all staff entering a care home in England, including visiting professionals such as optometrists and dispensing opticians, must be double vaccinated from 11 November 2021, unless they are exempt under the regulations.

Covid-19 domiciliary guidance - updated
 
The Domiciliary Eyecare Committee (DEC) has updated its Covid-19 guidance in parallel. Providers are reminded that professional staff will need to have their first jab by 16 September 2021 to meet this deadline if they are not vaccinated already.

Key eye care messages for care home providers 

 
The DEC has also issued key messages about eye care for care home managers, developed with NHS England and care sector organisations. For example, care home managers do not need to ask domiciliary eyecare providers who can demonstrate a negative Covid test result within the previous 72 hours to take an additional test before entering the care home. The CQC fortnightly bulletin will cascade these messages to care homes.  
 
Read the

• DEC press release
• Full guidance
• Key messages about lateral flow testing for care homes

Scotland: Lateral flow tests move to Orient Gene

NHS National Services Scotland began distributing Orient Gene lateral flow tests on 16 August 2021. According to an update from the Scottish Government, the Orient Gene lateral flow device, which is a nasal-only self-test, will replace Innova 25 kits as stocks run out. Health Boards will use up the residual stock of Innova 25 before supplying Orient Gene to healthcare workers.

Scottish Government consults on retaining Covid powers

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on further legislative reform to support Scotland's recovery from the pandemic.
 
The consultation includes proposals on:

• Maintaining provisions in the UK Coronavirus Act that enable Scottish Ministers to enact measures via public health regulations for any future threats, including the ability to shut schools and impose lockdowns
• A change in the law that will allow a broader range of health professionals to give vaccinations and immunisations
• Maintaining pre-eviction protocols relating to rent arrears in the private sector.

The consultation closes on 9 November 2021. FODO Scotland will be responding as part of Optometry Scotland.

Welsh Government provides £411m for hospitals to tackle Covid

 
The Welsh Government has allocated £411 million to help hospitals deal with Covid-19 until April 2022, plus a further £140 million for recovery and to tackle waiting times.

• £411 million will aid the vaccination programme, testing, PPE, and new cleaning standards for infection control
• £100 million will support health boards' recovery plans
• £40 million is for equipment and adapting hospitals and other buildings to increase capacity for routine procedures.

The funding comes on top of the £100 million announced in May to support recovery plans.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said the funds would help tackle waiting lists, which have increased by more than 33% and are at record levels.