The  College of Opticians of Ontario (COO) have issued a statement to the province’s Opticians who, as front-line health care professionals, work in close proximity to patients and therefore exposes them to a measured risk of infection including COVID-19. 

The College references the recently updated  (December 2019) Standards of Practice and to use professional judgement  to decide whether to engage in remote practice with patients .

In the case that remote practice is not possible, COO makes the following recommendations:

• Consider scheduling appointments with patients to reduce the number of patients in the dispensary at one time.
• Sanitize surfaces, frames and equipment between patients.
• Wash hands between patients.
• Disinfect frames thoroughly before returning to the display using anti-bacterial soap and water or with a disinfecting wipe that is safe for frame material.
• Post signs in your dispensary asking patients who are feeling unwell to reschedule.
• Include messaging on your website, voicemail and email asking patients to reschedule if not well and advising of delivery options for contacts and eyeglasses.
• Upon arrival at the dispensary, ask patients if they are experiencing fever, cough, or shortness of breath and/or have recently returned from travel outside of Canada and reschedule appointments as needed.

For its part, the College will temporarily be moving to a remote office model until further notice in order to safeguard the health and safety of the staff and board members as well as minimize service disruptions to the public and registrants and will be posting regular updates on their social media networks.