The following is an announcement from the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board (ODOB) regarding the move to Covid-19 Alert Level 1 on Tuesday 9 June 2020
FROM THE ODOB BOARD
As you will be aware the Government announced New Zealand can safely move out of Alert Level 2 at 11.59pm on Monday 8 June 2020.
Alert Level 1: – prepare: the disease is contained in New Zealand
To this end, the Ministry of Health made the following statement:
"Thank you for your hard work to enable us to reach this milestone. The move to Alert Level 1 will enable you to provide services similarly to pre Covid-19. However, we must not forget that there is still a global pandemic and we must remain vigilant. When the country moves into Alert Level 1 community allied health services can return to normal with the following recommendations:
Essentially there are no restrictions for health and disability services. However, the Board advises all practitioners continue with strict hygiene protocols. As a reminder, the best defence against Covid-19 are basic hygiene measures, which include:
The Ministry of Health has launched two contact tracing apps which they have recommended allied health professionals consider using:
The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for all your efforts in helping New Zealand eliminate the transmission of Covid-19
Noho ora mai / stay well
Jayesh Chouhan, ODOB Board chair and Antony McFelin, ODOB registrar