Lifting of COVID Restrictions

Following the recent announcement from the government concerning the lifting of Covid restrictions on 19th July, we wanted to update you on using face masks whilst visiting the practice.

Government guidance still recommends that face coverings are expected to be worn in confined spaces. To enable us to reduce the risk to patients and staff from catching Covid, we will be asking all visitors to the practice, unless otherwise exempt, to wear facemasks.

We would also ask patients to sanitise their hands upon entering the building.

We would also request that patients not attend the surgery if they believe they have Covid Symptoms – unless previously arranged with one of our clinicians. The symptoms remain:

  • a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

  • a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

  • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

Please note – it remains a legal requirement to isolate and to organise a PCR test if symptoms are displayed

Please see https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/ for more information.

Lateral Flow Tests

Rapid lateral flow tests are for people who do not have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These tests are designed to help detect COVID in people who are not displaying any COVD symptoms, which in turn should help slow the rate of infection.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/how-to-do-a-test-at-home-or-at-a-test-site/how-to-do-a-rapid-lateral-flow-test/

Lateral Flow Tests should NOT be used where symptoms are displayed. We would encourage anyone with COVID symptoms to book a PCR test. Many schools or workplaces will NOT accept LFT tests as proof of non-infection in pupils or employees where symptoms are displayed.

More information about booking a PCR test can be found on the government website https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

We are all glad to restrictions lifted but we would encourage all patients to continue to follow the governments advice to remain cautious to help prevent a big spike in infections.

  • Please wear a mask

  • Please wash your hands

  • Please do not attend if you have Covid symptoms