We have been advised to distribute the following message: NHS England has asked the Optical Confederation to distribute the following alert to all optical practices, clinicians and staff to communicate to their patients and the public via booking systems and patient-facing media. It is based on the latest advice from Public Health England. A similar message is being communicated to other primary care professions.
Please do not book an appointment or attend your practice if you have visited or traveled through mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan or Thailand and have symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath within 2 weeks of returning or if you have symptoms of a cough, fever or shortness of breath after being in contact with someone with a confirmed case of coronavirus also known as COVID-19. Please call NHS 111 instead.