20 April 2022

Transition to Green Phase

COVID-19 Public health

In conjunction with each UK Nation’s health system and government public health bodies, optometry practices are expected to move to “Green” phase in early May 2022.

From that point, the COVID-19 Amber phase guidance will no longer apply. Practices should now start planning to revert to following the College’s Guidance for Professional Practice only. We will alert members when the announcements are made.

This does not, however, mean a return to practice or business as it was before the pandemic. The Guidance for Professional Practice has been updated to incorporate the latest public health infection prevention and control recommendations so optometrists can continue to provide eye care safely and effectively to their patients as part of a “new normal”.     

We will provide further information and resources to explain how the move to Green phase will affect optical practices in the coming weeks.

This article was correct at time of publication. 

Related news

Supporting optometrists in their vaccine decisions
COVID-19 Policy Public health

Scottish Government withdraws COVID-19 specific face mask-wearing guidance
COVID-19 Public health Scotland

Marking His Majesty The King’s Coronation
Low vision Public health

Related further reading

Guest editorial: Transitioning to new ways of working

As society continues to open up, the Optometry in Practice editorial board thought it opportune to reflect on the experiences of the pandemic to date and assess the impact on both eyecare professionals and our patients.

Contact lenses COVID-19

How respiratory viruses affect the eye

It is rare for respiratory viruses to cause eye infections, writes Kim Thomas, but they may use the eye as a portal of entry. And what is the mechanism behind their travel to the respiratory system?

COVID-19 Public health

Are branded drugs always better?

How do clinicians choose between generic and branded drugs, balancing the need for patient safety against cost? Kathy Oxtoby takes a look.

Dispensing Public health Research