ODOB: Return to Covid-19 levels update

The following is an announcement from the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board (ODOB) regarding the move to Covid-19 Alert Level 3 (Auckland) and Level 2 (rest of the country) on Wednesday 12 August

FROM THE ODOB BOARD

Tena koe,
As you will be aware the government has indicated that there are four confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the community from an unknown cause in the Auckland region. As a result:

The Auckland region will move to Alert Level 3 as of midday Wednesday 12 August for three days, until midnight Friday 14 August

The rest of the country will move to Alert Level 2 as of midday Wednesday 12 August for three days, until midnight Friday 14 August.

The Board is still awaiting further instruction from the Ministry of Health and at this stage our understanding is that optometrists and dispensing opticians are to revert back to the guidelines issued previously at these alert levels.

For information that was communicated by the Board for Alert Level 3 click here

For information that was communicated by the Board for Alert Level 2 click here

All previous Board communication regarding COVID-19 can be found on the Board website, https://www.odob.health.nz/covid-19-information/

In addition, we expect that all practitioners are using the NZ Covid-19 tracer app. It is important that you continue to use this to ensure effective contact tracing if required.

The Board also recommends that you continue to work collaboratively with your DHB. Follow, at a minimum, the current Ministry of Health guidelines, published on their website and stay in contact with your professional body including the NZAO and ADONZ.
We understand this change will not be easy and you may be feeling anxious about the movement of alert levels. We are all in this together and we will get through this, but we all need to be vigilant and adhere to the alert level restrictions.
We will communicate any further updates as soon as they become available.
Noho ora mai / stay well

Jayesh Chouhan, ODOB Board chair and Antony McFelin, ODOB registrar