With the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 rising every day, the chances of contracting the virus rises.
It is extremely important for veterinary practitioners to be protected from the virus. For this reason, Veterinary Ireland has issued a series of guidelines for practitioners to follow.
Advice for companion animal practitioners:
- Shorten your working hours and admit only urgent cases;
- All staff should wear protective equipment;
- All staff should wash hands regularly and thoroughly (after each pet or owner contact);
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth;
- Keep at least 2-metres from people;
- Make appointments by phone or online;
- Inform pet owners of new protocol via signs and digital channels;
- Allow only one healthy adult to accompany the animal;
- Regularly clean and disinfect door handles, surfaces and any area that people touch;
- Provide hand disinfectant to clients;
- If possible, split the team into two groups and prevent physical contact with each other;
- Send home all staff that can work from home or don’t need to be there;
- Remove all items in the waiting room that people can touch e.g. magazines;
- No visiting hours for hospitalized patients or any unnecessary visits;
- Prefer contactless payment.
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