Updated Public Health Guidance for IPC - 1 June 2022

Read updated Public Health Guidance for IPC in Northern Ireland here.

COVID-19 Guidance updated 26 January 2022

Please note that this page is a live document and all information and links are accurate as of the date of publication.

ABDO strongly recommends all registrants should follow Government guidance on vaccination in line with public health evidence.

Mandatory vaccination only applies to staff regulated by the Care Quality Commission.  It does not apply to staff regulated by the GOC.

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland it is strongly recommended all health care professionals are fully vaccinated against coronavirus (COVID-19) unless medically exempt. Please see further details below.

Recent and upcoming changes can be found here. The left-hand side column lists each country.

Please see the updated summary of changes made to guidance up to 26 January 2022:

Northern Ireland

If you test positive on an LFD test, you are not required to complete a confirmatory PCR test, but you should follow the guidance as set out in the FAQs.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you can leave self-isolation after 7 full days, provided you have no symptoms and have two negative LFD tests 24 hours apart on days 6 and 7.

If you are identified as a close contact of a positive case you should complete the relevant COVID-19 test according to the national guidance.

Close contacts of confirmed cases, who are fully vaccinated, have a negative LFD test and no symptoms, can return to work and must complete and receive a negative LFD test result for seven days from return.

Further information can be found in the links below:

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/doh-hss-md-91-2021.pdf

https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/guidance-hsc-staff-healthcare-workers-and-care-providers

Self-isolation support

You may be able to get a payment of £500 if you are on a low income and meet the eligibility criteria:

• you’re employed or self-employed.
• you, or a child you’re the parent or guardian of, has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), or been told you or the child are a close contact by NHS Test and Trace.
• you cannot work from home and will lose income by self-isolating or staying at home to care for the child.
• you’re not exempt from self-isolating.

Northern Ireland – Financial help and practical support | nidirect

Practitioners in Northern Ireland should follow the advice found on the Optometry NI and Northern Ireland Government websites.

Find out how to self-refer for coronavirus testing in Northern Ireland here.